ASTX vs. UCO

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

ASTX (Tradr 2X Long ASTS Daily ETF) and UCO (ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil) are both exchange-traded funds - ASTX is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Tradr, while UCO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index (200%). ASTX is actively managed, while UCO is passively managed. Over the past year, ASTX returned -42.09% vs 57.67% for UCO. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ASTX charges 1.30%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for UCO.

Performance

ASTX vs. UCO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Tradr 2X Long ASTS Daily ETF (ASTX) and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASTX achieves a -61.97% return, which is significantly lower than UCO's 100.52% return.

ASTX

• 1D: -15.53%
• 1M: -39.48%
• 6M: -77.89%
• YTD: -61.97%
• 1Y: -42.09%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UCO

• 1D: 11.74%
• 1M: -7.72%
• 6M: 88.88%
• YTD: 100.52%
• 1Y: 57.67%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 14.86%
• 10Y*: 21.66%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ASTX vs. UCO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ASTX Tradr 2X Long ASTS Daily ETF	-61.97%	63.68%
UCO ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil	100.52%	-17.93%

Correlation

The correlation between ASTX and UCO is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2025	0.02

Return for Risk

ASTX vs. UCO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASTX

ASTX Risk / Return Rank: 14
ASTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
ASTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
ASTX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
ASTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
ASTX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

UCO

UCO Risk / Return Rank: 34
UCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
UCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
UCO Omega Ratio Rank: 35
UCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
UCO Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

ASTX vs. UCO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Tradr 2X Long ASTS Daily ETF (ASTX) and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ASTX	UCO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	1.00	-1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.25	1.58	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.19	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.50	1.50	-2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.80	3.22	-4.02

ASTX vs. UCO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASTX Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the UCO Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASTX and UCO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ASTX vs. UCO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASTX drawdown since its inception was -84.62%, smaller than the maximum UCO drawdown of -99.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASTX and UCO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASTX	UCO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.62%	-99.86%	+15.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-84.62%	-38.55%	-46.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-50.38%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-67.24%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-96.50%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-84.62%	-84.44%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.33%	-82.12%	+34.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	52.44%	17.99%	+34.45%

Volatility

ASTX vs. UCO - Volatility Comparison

Tradr 2X Long ASTS Daily ETF (ASTX) has a higher volatility of 73.52% compared to ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO) at 21.64%. This indicates that ASTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UCO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASTX	UCO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	73.52%	21.64%	+51.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	163.21%	49.97%	+113.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	215.94%	58.34%	+157.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	215.62%	60.48%	+155.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	215.62%	317.76%	-102.14%

ASTX vs. UCO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASTX has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than UCO's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASTX vs. UCO - Dividend Comparison

Neither ASTX nor UCO has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASTX and UCO in my portfolio?

ASTX and UCO have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ASTX or UCO?

ASTX has higher volatility (73.52%) compared to UCO (21.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASTX dropped -84.62% vs UCO's -99.86%.

Which ETF is better, ASTX or UCO?

On 1-year performance, UCO leads with 57.67% vs -42.09% for ASTX. On fees, UCO is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, UCO has been the lower-risk option at 21.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ASTX or UCO?

Over the 1-year period, UCO has performed better with a 57.67% return vs -42.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASTX or UCO?

UCO is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.30% for ASTX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ASTX or UCO?

ASTX and UCO have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ASTX and UCO?

ASTX is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while UCO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Tradr and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 1.30% for ASTX and 0.95% for UCO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UCO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs -0.20), 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.