DOG vs. SPDN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DOG (ProShares Short Dow30) and SPDN (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares) are both Inverse Equities funds - DOG tracks the DJ Industrial Average (-100%) while SPDN tracks the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DOG returned -5.31%/yr vs -8.88%/yr for SPDN. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DOG charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SPDN.

Performance

DOG vs. SPDN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Short Dow30 (DOG) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares (SPDN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DOG achieves a -4.15% return, which is significantly higher than SPDN's -7.81% return.

DOG

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: -3.36%
• YTD: -4.15%
• 6M: -4.06%
• 1Y: -12.72%
• 3Y*: -8.28%
• 5Y*: -5.31%
• 10Y*: -11.18%

SPDN

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -4.42%
• YTD: -7.81%
• 6M: -7.36%
• 1Y: -16.94%
• 3Y*: -12.80%
• 5Y*: -8.88%
• 10Y*: —

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

DOG vs. SPDN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DOG ProShares Short Dow30	-4.15%	-8.40%	-5.62%	-7.05%	5.67%	-19.21%	-20.45%	-18.43%	3.55%	-21.51%
SPDN Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares	-7.81%	-11.09%	-12.88%	-15.04%	18.63%	-23.72%	-24.56%	-21.94%	5.41%	-17.16%

Correlation

The correlation between DOG and SPDN is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2016	0.89

The correlation between DOG and SPDN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DOG vs. SPDN — Risk / Return Rank

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

DOG

DOG Risk / Return Rank: 1
DOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
DOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
DOG Omega Ratio Rank: 2
DOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
DOG Martin Ratio Rank: 1

SPDN

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

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.

DOG vs. SPDN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short Dow30 (DOG) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares (SPDN). 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.

	DOG	SPDN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.05	-1.41	+0.35
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.42	-2.02	+0.60
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	0.78	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.87	-0.95	+0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.43	-1.74	+0.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DOG vs. SPDN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DOG Sharpe Ratio is -1.05, which is comparable to the SPDN Sharpe Ratio of -1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DOG and SPDN, 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

	DOG	SPDN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.05	-1.41	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.36	-0.53	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.57	-0.70	+0.13

Drawdowns

DOG vs. SPDN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DOG drawdown since its inception was -92.69%, which is greater than SPDN's maximum drawdown of -75.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DOG and SPDN.

Drawdown Indicators

	DOG	SPDN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.69%	-75.31%	-17.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.63%	-17.95%	+3.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.77%	-38.24%	+9.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.99%	-43.85%	+9.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-92.61%	-75.17%	-17.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.39%	-48.54%	-17.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.89%	9.78%	-0.89%

Volatility

DOG vs. SPDN - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Short Dow30 (DOG) has a higher volatility of 2.98% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares (SPDN) at 2.78%. This indicates that DOG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPDN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DOG	SPDN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	2.78%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.37%	9.08%	+0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.13%	12.10%	+0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.79%	16.86%	-2.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.49%	18.04%	-0.55%

DOG vs. SPDN - Expense Ratio Comparison

DOG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDN's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

DOG vs. SPDN - Dividend Comparison

DOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.49%, less than SPDN's 4.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DOG ProShares Short Dow30	3.49%	3.65%	5.72%	4.54%	0.41%	0.00%	0.14%	1.54%	0.86%	0.04%
SPDN Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares	4.09%	4.06%	5.32%	5.84%	0.96%	0.00%	0.10%	1.89%	1.24%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DOG and SPDN in my portfolio?

DOG and SPDN have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DOG or SPDN?

DOG has higher volatility (2.98%) compared to SPDN (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DOG dropped -92.69% vs SPDN's -75.31%.

Which ETF is better, DOG or SPDN?

On 5-year performance, DOG leads with -5.31% vs -8.88% for SPDN. On fees, SPDN is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SPDN has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DOG or SPDN?

Over the 5-year period, DOG has performed better with a -5.31% return vs -8.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DOG or SPDN?

SPDN is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for DOG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DOG or SPDN?

SPDN has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 3.49% for DOG.

What is the main difference between DOG and SPDN?

DOG tracks DJ Industrial Average (-100%), while SPDN tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for DOG and 0.50% for SPDN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-1.05 vs -1.41), 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.