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^VVIX vs. VIXY
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

^VVIX vs. VIXY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CBOE VIX Volatility Index (^VVIX) and ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^VVIX achieves a -3.10% return, which is significantly higher than VIXY's -8.27% return. Over the past 10 years, ^VVIX has outperformed VIXY with an annualized return of 1.28%, while VIXY has yielded a comparatively lower -47.13% annualized return.


^VVIX

1D
-0.81%
1M
-8.64%
YTD
-3.10%
6M
-2.80%
1Y
-1.20%
3Y*
1.39%
5Y*
-3.65%
10Y*
1.28%

VIXY

1D
0.26%
1M
-15.15%
YTD
-8.27%
6M
-22.71%
1Y
-53.80%
3Y*
-42.73%
5Y*
-46.70%
10Y*
-47.13%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^VVIX vs. VIXY - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
^VVIX
CBOE VIX Volatility Index
-3.10%-11.18%19.97%12.86%-29.74%-1.96%18.87%8.02%-13.55%10.00%
VIXY
ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF
-8.27%-43.05%-27.43%-72.74%-24.98%-72.40%10.54%-67.81%66.78%-72.78%

Correlation

The correlation between ^VVIX and VIXY is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.


Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.87

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.84

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.83

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.78

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2011

0.78

The correlation between ^VVIX and VIXY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

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Return for Risk

^VVIX vs. VIXY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

^VVIX
^VVIX Risk / Return Rank: 1515
Overall Rank
^VVIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1111
Sharpe Ratio Rank
^VVIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
^VVIX Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
^VVIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1010
Calmar Ratio Rank
^VVIX Martin Ratio Rank: 1111
Martin Ratio Rank

VIXY
VIXY Risk / Return Rank: 11
Overall Rank
VIXY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VIXY Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
Sortino Ratio Rank
VIXY Omega Ratio Rank: 11
Omega Ratio Rank
VIXY Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
Calmar Ratio Rank
VIXY Martin Ratio Rank: 22
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^VVIX vs. VIXY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CBOE VIX Volatility Index (^VVIX) and ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.


^VVIXVIXYDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

+0.95

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

+2.15

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.07

0.82

+0.25

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.03

-0.95

+0.92

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.05

-1.34

+1.29

^VVIX vs. VIXY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^VVIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.01, which is higher than the VIXY Sharpe Ratio of -0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^VVIX and VIXY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


^VVIXVIXYDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.01

-0.97

+0.95

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.04

-0.67

+0.63

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.01

-0.65

+0.67

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.01

-0.69

+0.71

Drawdowns

^VVIX vs. VIXY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^VVIX drawdown since its inception was -78.10%, smaller than the maximum VIXY drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^VVIX and VIXY.


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Drawdown Indicators


^VVIXVIXYDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-78.10%

-100.00%

+21.90%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-38.94%

-56.72%

+17.78%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-52.75%

-81.00%

+28.25%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-53.07%

-95.92%

+42.85%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-64.71%

-99.87%

+35.16%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-56.74%

-100.00%

+43.26%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-43.41%

-92.18%

+48.77%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

23.07%

40.22%

-17.15%

Volatility

^VVIX vs. VIXY - Volatility Comparison

CBOE VIX Volatility Index (^VVIX) has a higher volatility of 12.10% compared to ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY) at 8.03%. This indicates that ^VVIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIXY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


^VVIXVIXYDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

12.10%

8.03%

+4.07%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

59.20%

41.47%

+17.73%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

82.74%

55.89%

+26.85%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

87.14%

70.31%

+16.83%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

85.81%

72.48%

+13.33%

Frequently Asked Questions


^VVIX and VIXY have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

^VVIX has higher volatility (12.10%) compared to VIXY (8.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^VVIX dropped -78.10% vs VIXY's -100.00%.

^VVIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.01 vs -0.97), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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