SQQQ Short Nasdaq ETF
3x ShortProShares UltraPro Short QQQ
Shorts: NASDAQ-100 Index (QQQ)
Expense Ratio
0.95%
Leverage
3x Inverse
Issuer
ProShares
Inception
Feb 2010
SQQQ is the ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ, a 3x inverse NASDAQ short ETF that rises approximately 3% for every 1% the NASDAQ-100 falls. It is designed for short-term trading only; use the SQQQ calculator to estimate a one-day QQQ move before fees, tracking error, and daily reset effects.
NASDAQ Short ETF Quick Answers
| Search | Direct Answer |
|---|---|
| SQQQ ETF | SQQQ is a 3x inverse daily ETF tied to the NASDAQ-100 / QQQ. |
| NASDAQ short ETF | Common choices are PSQ 1x, QID 2x, and SQQQ 3x. |
| SQQQ calculator | Use the NASDAQ short ETF calculator for estimated SQQQ profit/loss. |
Short Nasdaq ETFs Compared
If your real question is "which short Nasdaq ETF should I use?", start with leverage. These funds seek daily inverse exposure to the Nasdaq-100 or QQQ, so the holding period and volatility matter as much as the direction call.
| Ticker | Daily Target | Typical Fit | Main Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSQ | -1x QQQ | Lower-volatility bearish Nasdaq exposure | Smaller daily move than leveraged funds |
| QID | -2x QQQ | Intermediate tactical short Nasdaq trade | More compounding risk than PSQ |
| SQQQ | -3x QQQ | Highest-risk short-term Nasdaq-100 bearish trade | Daily reset and leverage decay can dominate multi-day holds |
Check the current fund provider pages for live expense ratios, assets, and prospectus language before trading. This table is educational, not a recommendation.
Official Source Checks
The top SERP results include product pages and broad ETF databases. This page combines those product facts with the ShortAssets calculator and a practical fit matrix.
PSQ: 1x inverse Nasdaq-100
ProShares describes PSQ as seeking the inverse (-1x) of the daily performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index before fees and expenses. It is the lower-leverage short Nasdaq ETF in the PSQ/QID/SQQQ set.
QID: 2x inverse Nasdaq-100
QID targets two times the inverse (-2x) of the Nasdaq-100's daily performance before fees and expenses. It sits between PSQ and SQQQ on the leverage spectrum.
SQQQ: 3x inverse Nasdaq-100
SQQQ targets three times the inverse (-3x) of the Nasdaq-100's daily performance before fees and expenses. That makes it the most aggressive of the common short Nasdaq ETF choices.
| Ticker | Official Source | Best User Action |
|---|---|---|
| PSQ | ProShares PSQ page | Verify -1x objective, current expenses, and holdings. |
| QID | ProShares QID page | Verify -2x objective and daily reset language. |
| SQQQ | ProShares SQQQ page | Verify -3x objective before using this page's scenario math. |
High Risk Leveraged Product
SQQQ is a 3x leveraged inverse ETF designed for short-term trading only. Daily rebalancing causes significant decay over time. This is NOT suitable for buy-and-hold investors. You could lose substantially more than your initial investment.
NOT A RECOMMENDATION
The information on this page is for educational purposes only. We are not recommending you buy, sell, or hold SQQQ or any other security. Do your own research. Consult a licensed financial advisor. You could lose money.
What SQQQ Shorts
SQQQ provides 3x inverse (-300%) daily exposure to the NASDAQ-100 Index. When the NASDAQ-100 falls 1% in a day, SQQQ aims to rise approximately 3%. Conversely, when the NASDAQ-100 rises 1%, SQQQ aims to fall approximately 3%.
The NASDAQ-100 includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange, heavily weighted toward technology companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, NVIDIA, and Meta.
How Leverage Works
If NASDAQ-100 drops 2% today...
How to Choose Between PSQ, QID, and SQQQ
- Use PSQ when you want 1x inverse daily Nasdaq exposure and less leverage drag.
- Use QID when you want amplified exposure but do not need the full 3x profile of SQQQ.
- Use SQQQ only when you understand that a small QQQ rally can create a large daily loss.
- Use the calculator before trading to model the one-day move, then assume multi-day results can differ because each fund resets daily.
Scenario Checklist for a Short Nasdaq ETF Trade
Before choosing leverage, write down the exact Nasdaq-100 move you are trading. This keeps the page useful even when live prices, expenses, and volume change.
- Underlying: Nasdaq-100 / QQQ, not the full Nasdaq Composite.
- Time frame: One day is the cleanest fit for daily-reset products.
- Leverage: PSQ is lower force, QID is middle force, SQQQ is maximum force in this set.
- Exit: Decide whether you exit after the move, at the close, or at a fixed loss.
- Verification: Check the official fund page and calculator before placing the order.
Best Use Cases
- Day trading during expected NASDAQ selloffs
- Short-term hedging of tech-heavy portfolios
- Tactical bearish bets on technology sector
- Capitalizing on high-volatility down days
Key Risks
- Leverage Decay: Daily rebalancing erodes value over time, even if you're right about direction
- Volatility Drag: High volatility accelerates decay significantly
- Expense Ratio: 0.95% annual fee compounds the decay
- Unlimited Downside: If NASDAQ rises significantly, losses can exceed 100% of position
- Tracking Error: Returns may not exactly match 3x inverse of daily index movement