DDM vs. USL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DDM (ProShares Ultra Dow30) and USL (United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - DDM is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (200%), while USL is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DDM returned 19.50%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for USL. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DDM charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for USL.

Performance

DDM vs. USL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DDM achieves a 9.35% return, which is significantly lower than USL's 63.07% return. Over the past 10 years, DDM has outperformed USL with an annualized return of 19.50%, while USL has yielded a comparatively lower 10.91% annualized return.

DDM

• 1D: -2.29%
• 1M: 7.27%
• YTD: 9.35%
• 6M: 9.82%
• 1Y: 36.48%
• 3Y*: 24.94%
• 5Y*: 11.93%
• 10Y*: 19.50%

USL

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 63.07%
• 6M: 59.66%
• 1Y: 57.86%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 17.41%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

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

DDM vs. USL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DDM ProShares Ultra Dow30	9.35%	20.59%	21.60%	24.34%	-19.48%	41.97%	2.14%	47.98%	-13.46%	59.56%
USL United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP	63.07%	-12.37%	8.30%	-1.11%	27.10%	62.48%	-25.23%	28.01%	-14.15%	2.55%

Correlation

The correlation between DDM and USL is -0.34, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2007	0.29

The correlation between DDM and USL shifts across timeframes, from -0.34 (1 year) to 0.29 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DDM vs. USL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DDM	USL
Financial Services	27.2%	4.5%
Industrials	18.4%	-
Technology	17.1%	-
Healthcare	13.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	-
Basic Materials	4.0%	-
Energy	2.4%	-
Communication Services	1.9%	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DDM vs. USL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DDM

DDM Risk / Return Rank: 41
DDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
DDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
DDM Omega Ratio Rank: 40
DDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
DDM Martin Ratio Rank: 42

USL

USL Risk / Return Rank: 56
USL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
USL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
USL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
USL Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
USL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

DDM vs. USL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). 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.

	DDM	USL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.04	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	2.58	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.34	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	3.47	-1.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.97	7.02	-0.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DDM vs. USL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DDM Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the USL Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DDM and USL, 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

	DDM	USL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	2.04	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.58	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.34	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.01	+0.38

Drawdowns

DDM vs. USL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDM drawdown since its inception was -81.70%, smaller than the maximum USL drawdown of -89.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDM and USL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDM	USL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.70%	-89.06%	+7.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.31%	-16.76%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.62%	-23.33%	-8.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.18%	-33.82%	-6.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.13%	-66.02%	+2.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.29%	-38.16%	+35.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.33%	-61.46%	+44.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.25%	8.27%	-3.02%

Volatility

DDM vs. USL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM) is 5.95%, while United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL) has a volatility of 10.53%. This indicates that DDM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DDM	USL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.95%	10.53%	-4.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.62%	23.33%	-4.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.25%	28.54%	-4.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.53%	30.08%	-0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.76%	32.35%	+2.41%

DDM vs. USL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDM has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than USL's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

DDM vs. USL - Dividend Comparison

DDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, while USL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DDM ProShares Ultra Dow30	0.91%	0.94%	1.00%	0.27%	0.83%	0.18%	0.31%	0.62%	0.89%	0.68%	1.08%	1.23%
USL United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDM and USL in my portfolio?

DDM and USL have a correlation of -0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DDM or USL?

USL has higher volatility (10.53%) compared to DDM (5.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DDM dropped -81.70% vs USL's -89.06%.

Which ETF is better, DDM or USL?

On 10-year performance, DDM leads with 19.50% vs 10.91% for USL. On fees, USL is cheaper at 0.88% per year. On volatility, DDM has been the lower-risk option at 5.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DDM or USL?

Over the 10-year period, DDM has performed better with a 19.50% return vs 10.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDM or USL?

USL is cheaper with a 0.88% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for DDM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DDM or USL?

DDM has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.00% for USL.

What is the main difference between DDM and USL?

DDM is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while USL is Oil & Gas. DDM tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (200%), while USL tracks 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for DDM and 0.88% for USL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.51), 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.