DIG vs. VSDB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DIG (ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas) and VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - DIG is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index (200%), while VSDB is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. DIG is passively managed, while VSDB is actively managed. Over the past year, DIG returned 98.04% vs 5.06% for VSDB. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. DIG charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VSDB.

Performance

DIG vs. VSDB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas (DIG) and Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DIG achieves a 66.82% return, which is significantly higher than VSDB's 1.00% return.

DIG

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: -3.40%
• YTD: 66.82%
• 6M: 58.48%
• 1Y: 98.04%
• 3Y*: 24.00%
• 5Y*: 28.36%
• 10Y*: 4.90%

VSDB

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.00%
• 6M: 1.50%
• 1Y: 5.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DIG vs. VSDB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DIG ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas	66.82%	2.00%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	1.00%	4.85%

Correlation

The correlation between DIG and VSDB is -0.26, 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	-0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025	-0.22

Return for Risk

DIG vs. VSDB — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIG

DIG Risk / Return Rank: 68
DIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
DIG Omega Ratio Rank: 58
DIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DIG Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VSDB

VSDB Risk / Return Rank: 85
VSDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VSDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VSDB Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VSDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VSDB Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

DIG vs. VSDB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas (DIG) and Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB). 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.

	DIG	VSDB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	2.94	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	4.61	-1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.61	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.23	3.57	+0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.54	15.78	-4.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DIG vs. VSDB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIG Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the VSDB Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIG and VSDB, 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

	DIG	VSDB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	2.94	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.00	2.68	-2.68

Drawdowns

DIG vs. VSDB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIG drawdown since its inception was -97.04%, which is greater than VSDB's maximum drawdown of -1.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIG and VSDB.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIG	VSDB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.04%	-1.42%	-95.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.29%	-1.42%	-21.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.41%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.02%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-92.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.13%	-0.10%	-51.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-64.36%	-0.19%	-64.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.52%	0.32%	+8.20%

Volatility

DIG vs. VSDB - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas (DIG) has a higher volatility of 16.57% compared to Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) at 0.55%. This indicates that DIG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSDB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIG	VSDB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.57%	0.55%	+16.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.00%	1.35%	+31.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.83%	1.75%	+39.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.59%	1.89%	+49.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	57.80%	1.89%	+55.91%

DIG vs. VSDB - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VSDB's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

DIG vs. VSDB - Dividend Comparison

DIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, less than VSDB's 4.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIG ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas	1.49%	2.62%	3.13%	0.61%	1.33%	2.24%	3.18%	2.72%	2.30%	1.76%	1.09%	1.56%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	4.16%	3.30%	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 DIG and VSDB in my portfolio?

DIG and VSDB have a correlation of -0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIG or VSDB?

DIG has higher volatility (16.57%) compared to VSDB (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIG dropped -97.04% vs VSDB's -1.42%.

Which ETF is better, DIG or VSDB?

On 1-year performance, DIG leads with 98.04% vs 5.06% for VSDB. On fees, VSDB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, VSDB has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DIG or VSDB?

Over the 1-year period, DIG has performed better with a 98.04% return vs 5.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIG or VSDB?

VSDB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for DIG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DIG or VSDB?

VSDB has the higher dividend yield at 4.16%, compared with 1.49% for DIG.

What is the main difference between DIG and VSDB?

DIG is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VSDB is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for DIG and 0.15% for VSDB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.43), 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.