BERZ vs. SEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BERZ (MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN) and SEF (ProShares Short Financials) are both Inverse Equities funds - BERZ tracks the Solactive FANG Innovation Index while SEF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (-100%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BERZ returned -77.59%/yr vs -10.34%/yr for SEF. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

BERZ vs. SEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (BERZ) and ProShares Short Financials (SEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BERZ achieves a -65.19% return, which is significantly lower than SEF's 8.89% return.

BERZ

• 1D: 3.73%
• 1M: -37.37%
• YTD: -65.19%
• 6M: -64.50%
• 1Y: -86.22%
• 3Y*: -77.59%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SEF

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 8.89%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 3.73%
• 3Y*: -10.34%
• 5Y*: -5.21%
• 10Y*: -11.50%

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

BERZ vs. SEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BERZ MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN	-65.19%	-78.81%	-65.95%	-89.12%	102.85%	-30.19%
SEF ProShares Short Financials	8.89%	-9.82%	-17.81%	-8.81%	11.85%	-6.34%

Correlation

The correlation between BERZ and SEF is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2021	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between BERZ and SEF has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

BERZ vs. SEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BERZ	SEF
Technology	62.3%	-
Communication Services	25.0%	-
Financial Services	13.3%	65.0%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BERZ vs. SEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

BERZ

BERZ Risk / Return Rank: 0
BERZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
BERZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
BERZ Omega Ratio Rank: 0
BERZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
BERZ Martin Ratio Rank: 1

SEF

SEF Risk / Return Rank: 12
SEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
SEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
SEF Omega Ratio Rank: 12
SEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
SEF Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

BERZ vs. SEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (BERZ) and ProShares Short Financials (SEF). 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.

	BERZ	SEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.14	0.26	-1.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.96	0.50	-3.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.69	1.06	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.99	0.39	-1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.54	0.73	-2.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BERZ vs. SEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BERZ Sharpe Ratio is -1.14, which is lower than the SEF Sharpe Ratio of 0.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BERZ and SEF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BERZ	SEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.14	0.26	-1.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.29	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.56	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.75	-0.49	-0.26

Drawdowns

BERZ vs. SEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BERZ drawdown since its inception was -99.80%, roughly equal to the maximum SEF drawdown of -96.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BERZ and SEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BERZ	SEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.80%	-96.51%	-3.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-87.32%	-9.72%	-77.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-98.97%	-39.40%	-59.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-41.62%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.66%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.79%	-96.09%	-3.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-71.57%	-82.72%	+11.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	56.07%	5.14%	+50.93%

Volatility

BERZ vs. SEF - Volatility Comparison

MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (BERZ) has a higher volatility of 23.63% compared to ProShares Short Financials (SEF) at 3.01%. This indicates that BERZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BERZ	SEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.63%	3.01%	+20.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	57.98%	10.85%	+47.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	75.77%	14.34%	+61.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	92.20%	17.96%	+74.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	92.20%	20.52%	+71.68%

BERZ vs. SEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BERZ and SEF have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

BERZ vs. SEF - Dividend Comparison

BERZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.35%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BERZ MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SEF ProShares Short Financials	3.35%	4.33%	5.72%	4.43%	0.39%	0.00%	0.12%	1.25%	0.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BERZ and SEF in my portfolio?

BERZ and SEF have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BERZ or SEF?

BERZ has higher volatility (23.63%) compared to SEF (3.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BERZ dropped -99.80% vs SEF's -96.51%.

Which ETF is better, BERZ or SEF?

On 3-year performance, SEF leads with -10.34% vs -77.59% for BERZ. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, SEF has been the lower-risk option at 3.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BERZ or SEF?

Over the 3-year period, SEF has performed better with a -10.34% return vs -77.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BERZ or SEF?

BERZ and SEF have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BERZ or SEF?

SEF has the higher dividend yield at 3.35%, compared with 0.00% for BERZ.

What is the main difference between BERZ and SEF?

BERZ tracks Solactive FANG Innovation Index, while SEF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (-100%). They also come from different issuers: BMO and ProShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.26 vs -1.14), 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.