UYG vs VTI
ProShares Ultra Financials vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UYG or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UYG led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 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 | UYG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.93% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $736M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.41% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 89 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -5.17% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.03% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.34%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.97% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 41.1% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -98.0% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,083 | $17,616Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 30, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 1, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.7 years).
UYG vs VTI 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 19.7 years both funds cover.
UYG vs VTI Performance
ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UYG returned -0.03% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, UYG is down 5.17% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, UYG compounded at +30.34% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.97% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.22% annualized vs -0.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UYG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 41.1% compared with 15.9% for VTI. 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 -98.0% for UYG and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UYG charges 0.93% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $93 vs $3 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UYG currently yields 12.41% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 10.9% of VTI's money is in holdings UYG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for UYG, our book for it covers 67.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and UYG share little of their money.
76 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in UYG and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 89 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UYG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRK.BBrk/B | 7.72% | 1.23% | 6.49% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 7.29% | 1.29% | 6.00% |
| VVisa Inc-class A Shares | 5.07% | 0.85% | 4.22% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 3.68% | 0.63% | 3.05% |
| BACBank Of America Corp | 2.88% | 0.54% | 2.34% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 2.17% | 0.38% | 1.79% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 2.01% | 0.36% | 1.65% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 1.87% | 0.34% | 1.53% |
| CCitigroup, Inc. | 1.78% | 0.30% | 1.48% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 1.32% | 0.24% | 1.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UYG and VTI 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, UYG or VTI?
UYG has an expense ratio of 0.93% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UYG or VTI?
Over the past year UYG returned -0.03% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), UYG annualized -0.41% vs +9.22% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UYG or VTI?
UYG has been the more volatile fund at 41.1% annualized versus 15.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UYG -98.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both UYG and VTI?
UYG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between UYG and VTI?
At least 10.9% of VTI's money is in holdings UYG also owns. Our book for UYG is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 76 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in UYG and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, UYG or VTI?
UYG yields 12.41% while VTI yields 1.06%, so UYG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UYG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UYG led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.