DUST vs SDS
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bear 2X ETF vs ProShares UltraShort S&P500
Which is better, DUST or SDS?
SDS has been ahead.
SDS has a lower expense ratio. SDS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DUST | SDS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.93% | 0.91%Best |
| AUM | $89M | $348M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.07% | 5.19% |
| Holdings | 14 | 20 |
| YTD Return | -39.87% | -19.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -55.63% | -23.19%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -66.09% | -29.75%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -51.68% | -20.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 90.1% | 26.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $263 | $3,100Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | ProShares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Equity | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2010 | Jul 11, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 8, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.8 years).
DUST vs SDS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 15.8 years both funds cover.
DUST vs SDS Performance
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bear 2X ETF (DUST) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and ProShares UltraShort S&P500 (SDS) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year DUST returned -55.63% while SDS returned -23.19%. Year to date, DUST is down 39.87% versus a loss of 19.15% for SDS.
Over three years, DUST compounded at -66.09% per year against -29.75% for SDS; over five years the annualized figures are -51.68% and -20.88% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SDS has the edge at -27.28% annualized vs -49.55%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DUST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 90.1% compared with 26.2% for SDS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DUST charges 0.93% per year while SDS charges 0.91%. On a $10,000 position that is $93 vs $91 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DUST currently yields 5.07% against 5.19% for SDS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in DUST and 1 in SDS, totalling 102.4% and 93.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in DUST and 1 in SDS, against full books of 14 and 20.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DUST and SDS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DUST or SDS?
DUST has an expense ratio of 0.93% while SDS charges 0.91%. SDS is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DUST or SDS?
Over the past year DUST returned -55.63% vs -23.19% for SDS, so SDS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), DUST annualized -49.55% vs -27.28% for SDS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DUST or SDS?
DUST has been the more volatile fund at 90.1% annualized versus 26.2% for SDS.
Should I hold both DUST and SDS?
DUST and SDS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.15, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DUST or SDS?
DUST yields 5.07% while SDS yields 5.19%, so SDS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SDS better than DUST?
SDS has a lower expense ratio. SDS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.