PLTD vs SDS
Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X ETF vs ProShares UltraShort S&P500
Which is better, PLTD or SDS?
SDS has been ahead.
SDS has a lower expense ratio. SDS led over 1Y 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 | PLTD | SDS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.98% | 0.91%Best |
| AUM | $31M | $348M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.86% | 5.19% |
| Holdings | 15 | 20 |
| YTD Return | -34.71% | -19.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -32.63% | -23.19%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | -29.75% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | -20.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 54.0% | 23.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.0% | -58.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $2,009 | $6,253Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | ProShares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Equity | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Dec 11, 2024 | Jul 11, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
PLTD 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
PLTD vs SDS Performance
Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X ETF (PLTD) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and ProShares UltraShort S&P500 (SDS) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year PLTD returned -32.63% while SDS returned -23.19%. Year to date, PLTD is down 34.71% versus a loss of 19.15% for SDS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PLTD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 54.0% compared with 23.0% for SDS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -83.0% for PLTD and -58.4% for SDS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.16. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PLTD charges 0.98% per year while SDS charges 0.91%. On a $10,000 position that is $98 vs $91 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PLTD currently yields 3.86% against 5.19% for SDS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in PLTD and 1 in SDS, totalling 90.5% 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 3 positions we hold weights for in PLTD and 1 in SDS, against full books of 15 and 20.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PLTD 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, PLTD or SDS?
PLTD has an expense ratio of 0.98% while SDS charges 0.91%. SDS is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PLTD or SDS?
Over the past year PLTD returned -32.63% vs -23.19% for SDS, so SDS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PLTD annualized -59.00% vs -22.96% for SDS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PLTD or SDS?
PLTD has been the more volatile fund at 54.0% annualized versus 23.0% for SDS. Worst drawdown: PLTD -83.0% vs SDS -58.4%.
Should I hold both PLTD and SDS?
PLTD and SDS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.16, 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, PLTD or SDS?
PLTD yields 3.86% while SDS yields 5.19%, so SDS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SDS better than PLTD?
SDS has a lower expense ratio. SDS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.