BRZU vs. UPRO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BRZU (Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares) and UPRO (ProShares UltraPro S&P 500) are both Leveraged Equities funds - BRZU tracks the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index while UPRO tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BRZU returned -15.10%/yr vs 29.76%/yr for UPRO. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BRZU charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for UPRO.

Performance

BRZU vs. UPRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares (BRZU) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRZU achieves a 14.47% return, which is significantly lower than UPRO's 20.70% return. Over the past 10 years, BRZU has underperformed UPRO with an annualized return of -15.10%, while UPRO has yielded a comparatively higher 29.76% annualized return.

BRZU

• 1D: 1.74%
• 1M: -9.87%
• YTD: 14.47%
• 6M: 11.16%
• 1Y: 53.22%
• 3Y*: 6.31%
• 5Y*: -2.87%
• 10Y*: -15.10%

UPRO

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -1.71%
• YTD: 20.70%
• 6M: 21.09%
• 1Y: 64.83%
• 3Y*: 46.83%
• 5Y*: 21.40%
• 10Y*: 29.76%

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

BRZU vs. UPRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRZU Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares	14.47%	97.99%	-57.07%	55.48%	8.30%	-39.23%	-91.34%	57.02%	-37.21%	30.80%
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500	20.70%	31.88%	63.57%	68.53%	-56.84%	98.64%	10.09%	102.30%	-25.11%	71.37%

Correlation

The correlation between BRZU and UPRO is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2013	0.45

The correlation between BRZU and UPRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (5 years) to 0.53 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BRZU vs. UPRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BRZU	UPRO
Financial Services	32.7%	28.8%
Energy	18.7%	1.4%
Basic Materials	13.7%	0.8%
Utilities	12.8%	1.1%
Industrials	10.9%	3.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	2.0%
Healthcare	2.4%	3.8%
Communication Services	2.2%	4.8%
Consumer Cyclical	1.5%	4.5%
Technology	0.9%	17.8%
Real Estate	-	0.8%

Return for Risk

BRZU vs. UPRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRZU

BRZU Risk / Return Rank: 34
BRZU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
BRZU Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BRZU Omega Ratio Rank: 34
BRZU Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
BRZU Martin Ratio Rank: 34

UPRO

UPRO Risk / Return Rank: 57
UPRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
UPRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
UPRO Omega Ratio Rank: 54
UPRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
UPRO Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

BRZU vs. UPRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares (BRZU) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO). 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.

	BRZU	UPRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	1.77	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.59	2.23	-0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.30	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	2.43	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.43	10.01	-5.59

BRZU vs. UPRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRZU Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is lower than the UPRO Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRZU and UPRO, 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

BRZU vs. UPRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRZU drawdown since its inception was -99.71%, which is greater than UPRO's maximum drawdown of -76.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRZU and UPRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRZU	UPRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.71%	-76.82%	-22.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.97%	-26.78%	-9.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.25%	-48.87%	-9.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-65.00%	-63.94%	-1.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.11%	-76.82%	-21.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.18%	-7.60%	-91.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.55%	-14.40%	-75.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.06%	6.50%	+5.56%

Volatility

BRZU vs. UPRO - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares (BRZU) has a higher volatility of 14.76% compared to ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) at 13.22%. This indicates that BRZU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UPRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRZU	UPRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.76%	13.22%	+1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.95%	28.74%	+11.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.10%	36.77%	+13.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	55.45%	50.52%	+4.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	82.91%	53.83%	+29.08%

BRZU vs. UPRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRZU has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than UPRO's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRZU vs. UPRO - Dividend Comparison

BRZU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, more than UPRO's 0.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRZU Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares	2.33%	2.39%	8.73%	3.24%	4.70%	6.29%	0.78%	0.95%	1.04%	0.74%	0.00%	0.00%
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500	0.72%	0.84%	0.93%	0.74%	0.52%	0.06%	0.11%	0.41%	0.63%	0.00%	0.12%	0.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRZU and UPRO in my portfolio?

BRZU and UPRO have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRZU or UPRO?

BRZU has higher volatility (14.76%) compared to UPRO (13.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRZU dropped -99.71% vs UPRO's -76.82%.

Which ETF is better, BRZU or UPRO?

On 10-year performance, UPRO leads with 29.76% vs -15.10% for BRZU. On fees, UPRO is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, UPRO has been the lower-risk option at 13.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BRZU or UPRO?

Over the 10-year period, UPRO has performed better with a 29.76% return vs -15.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BRZU or UPRO?

UPRO is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for BRZU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BRZU or UPRO?

BRZU has the higher dividend yield at 2.33%, compared with 0.72% for UPRO.

What is the main difference between BRZU and UPRO?

BRZU tracks MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index, while UPRO tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for BRZU and 0.89% for UPRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UPRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.07), 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.