Dividend comparison
QLD vs SOXL: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for ProShares - Ultra QQQ and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
QLD vs SOXL: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SOXL is cheaper at 0.91% a year versus 0.96% for QLD. On $10,000 that is $5 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 0.14% for QLD and 0.10% for SOXL. QLD pays semi-annual, SOXL pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SOXL returned 127.5% versus 126.7% for QLD, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $22,750 in SOXL and $22,668 in QLD.
- Risk. SOXL has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -90.5%, against -63.7% for QLD.
- Diversification. QLD holds 121 positions and SOXL holds 44. The ten largest positions make up 40.8% of QLD and 41.7% of SOXL.
- Overlap. At least 21% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 19 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. SOXL grew its yearly payout 47.2% a year over the last 3 years, versus 29.2% for QLD.
Bottom line: QLD fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. SOXL fits better if you care most about lower fees and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | QLD ProShares - Ultra QQQ | SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.14% | 0.10% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.12 | $0.09 |
| Payout frequency | Semi-annual | Annual |
| Last dividend | $0.0271 on Sep 29, 2026 | $0.0929 on Sep 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 23, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 29.2% over 3 yrs | 47.2% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $89.54 | $97.55 |
| Beta | 2.46 | 7.64 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -63.7% | -90.5% |
| Market cap | $10.70B | $25.92B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.96% | 0.91% |
| Assets under management | $14.46B | $21.89B |
| Number of holdings | 121 | 44 |
| Top 10 concentration | 40.8% | 41.7% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
QLD
$1.15/mo
$14 /yr at 0.14% yield
SOXL
$0.79/mo
$10 /yr at 0.10% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. QLD pays semi-annual; SOXL pays annual.
| Year | QLD | SOXL |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.1178 | $0.1428 |
| 2024 | $0.1371 | $0.3211 |
| 2023 | $0.1271 | $0.1589 |
| 2022 | $0.0546 | $0.1038 |
| 2021 | — | $0.0304 |
Strategy: Leveraged
Funds that use swaps and futures to deliver two or three times the daily return of an index. The multiple resets every day, so over longer periods the result can differ sharply from simply multiplying the index return, especially when the market is choppy. They are built as short-term trading tools.
Daily rebalancing causes decay in sideways or volatile markets, and a large one-day drop can wipe out most of the fund's value.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $22,668 in QLD and $22,750 in SOXL.
| Period | QLD | SOXL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -1.57% | -21.07% |
| 3 months | 4.12% | -28.65% |
| Year to date | 27.33% | 132.26% |
| 1 year | 26.67% | 131.11% |
| 3 years | 211.88% | 496.27% |
| 5 years | 126.68% | 127.50% |
- QLD
- SOXL
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- QLD
- SOXL
QLD vs SOXL holdings overlap
At least 21% overlap by weight, with 19 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | QLD weight | SOXL weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANVIDIA CORP | 5.69% | 5.38% |
| MUMICRON TECHNOLOGY INC | 3.07% | 5.17% |
| AMDADVANCED MICRO DEVICES | 2.64% | 6.26% |
| AVGOBROADCOM INC | 1.73% | 4.95% |
| INTCINTEL CORP | 1.45% | 5.63% |
| LRCXLAM RESEARCH CORP | 1.02% | 2.47% |
| AMATAPPLIED MATERIALS INC | 0.99% | 2.47% |
| TXNTEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC | 0.76% | 2.90% |
| KLACKLA CORP | 0.65% | 2.60% |
| MRVLMARVELL TECHNOLOGY INC | 0.62% | 3.07% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
QLD121 holdings total
Quick verdict
QLD fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. SOXL fits better if you care most about lower fees and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how QLD vs SOXL fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is QLD or SOXL better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. QLD currently yields 0.14% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SOXL yields 0.10%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between QLD and SOXL?
ProShares - Ultra QQQ (QLD) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, QLD or SOXL?
SOXL has the lower expense ratio. QLD charges 0.96% a year and SOXL charges 0.91%, a difference of $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, QLD or SOXL?
Over the last 5 years, SOXL has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: QLD returned 126.7% and SOXL returned 127.5%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, QLD or SOXL?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SOXL has been riskier: QLD fell as much as 63.7% and SOXL as much as 90.5%. Their betas are 2.46 and 7.64.
How much do QLD and SOXL overlap?
At least 21% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 19 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NVDA, MU, AMD. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do QLD and SOXL pay dividends?
QLD pays semi-annual and SOXL pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in QLD vs SOXL generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in QLD would generate roughly $1.15 per month ($14 annually). The same amount in SOXL would produce about $0.79 per month ($10 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both QLD and SOXL?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare QLD vs SOXL with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how QLD and SOXL fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.