SDS vs SPXU
ProShares UltraShort S&P500 vs ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500
Which is better, SDS or SPXU?
Nearly the same fund. SPXU costs less.
SPXU has a lower expense ratio. SDS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.
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 | SDS | SPXU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.91% | 0.90%Best |
| AUM | $348M | $408M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.19% | 6.25% |
| Holdings | 20 | 19 |
| YTD Return | -19.15%Best | -29.33% |
| 1Y Return | -23.19%Best | -35.12% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -29.75%Best | -43.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -20.88%Best | -33.15% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.7%Best | 39.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $3,100Best | $1,335 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | ProShares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Equity | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Jul 11, 2006 | Jun 23, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 25, 2009 to Oct 14, 2026 (17.3 years).
SDS vs SPXU 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 17.3 years both funds cover.
SDS vs SPXU Performance
ProShares UltraShort S&P500 (SDS) is an ETF from ProShares and ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year SDS returned -23.19% while SPXU returned -35.12%. Year to date, SDS is down 19.15% versus a loss of 29.33% for SPXU.
Over three years, SDS compounded at -29.75% per year against -43.50% for SPXU; over five years the annualized figures are -20.88% and -33.15% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, SDS has the edge at -28.64% annualized vs -42.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPXU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 39.5% compared with 26.7% 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 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SDS charges 0.91% per year while SPXU charges 0.90%. On a $10,000 position that is $91 vs $90 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDS currently yields 5.19% against 6.25% for SPXU.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SDS and 1 in SPXU, totalling 93.5% and 90.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in SDS and 1 in SPXU, against full books of 20 and 19.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SDS | Weight in SPXU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IQMMProshares Genius Mny Mkt Etf | 93.48% | 90.71% | 2.77% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SDS and SPXU 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, SDS or SPXU?
SDS has an expense ratio of 0.91% while SPXU charges 0.90%. SPXU is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SDS or SPXU?
Over the past year SDS returned -23.19% vs -35.12% for SPXU, so SDS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SDS annualized -28.64% vs -42.36% for SPXU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDS or SPXU?
SPXU has been the more volatile fund at 39.5% annualized versus 26.7% for SDS.
Should I hold both SDS and SPXU?
SDS and SPXU have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SDS or SPXU?
SDS yields 5.19% while SPXU yields 6.25%, so SPXU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPXU better than SDS?
SPXU has a lower expense ratio. SDS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.