DXD vs. DOW

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

DXD (ProShares UltraShort Dow30) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (-200%), while DOW (Dow Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, DXD returned -15.46%/yr vs -8.45%/yr for DOW. At a correlation of -0.55, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

DXD vs. DOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort Dow30 (DXD) and Dow Inc. (DOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DXD achieves a -15.47% return, which is significantly lower than DOW's 32.51% return.

DXD

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -4.48%
• 6M: -11.64%
• YTD: -15.47%
• 1Y: -25.94%
• 3Y*: -21.53%
• 5Y*: -15.46%
• 10Y*: -24.45%

DOW

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: -10.46%
• 6M: 16.69%
• YTD: 32.51%
• 1Y: 12.90%
• 3Y*: -11.99%
• 5Y*: -8.45%
• 10Y*: —

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

DXD vs. DOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DXD ProShares UltraShort Dow30	-15.47%	-21.11%	-16.07%	-18.77%	7.09%	-35.18%	-44.57%	-19.45%
DOW Dow Inc.	32.51%	-37.38%	-22.79%	14.71%	-6.65%	6.81%	7.88%	8.40%

Correlation

The correlation between DXD and DOW is -0.17, 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	-0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2019	-0.55

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between DXD and DOW has weakened: their correlation has moved from -0.55 to -0.17, meaning they move in opposite directions less often than they have historically.

Return for Risk

DXD vs. DOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

DXD

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

DOW

DOW Risk / Return Rank: 54
DOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
DOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DOW Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
DOW Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

DXD vs. DOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Dow30 (DXD) and Dow Inc. (DOW). 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.

	DXD	DOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.06	0.27	-1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.46	0.72	-2.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.09	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.85	0.37	-1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.52	0.71	-2.23

DXD vs. DOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DXD Sharpe Ratio is -1.06, which is lower than the DOW Sharpe Ratio of 0.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DXD and DOW, 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

DXD vs. DOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DXD drawdown since its inception was -99.72%, which is greater than DOW's maximum drawdown of -64.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DXD and DOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DXD	DOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.72%	-64.37%	-35.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.71%	-34.81%	+4.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.14%	-62.16%	+3.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.19%	-64.37%	-2.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-94.35%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.71%	-45.55%	-54.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-82.38%	-23.05%	-59.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.04%	18.25%	-1.21%

Volatility

DXD vs. DOW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraShort Dow30 (DXD) is 5.12%, while Dow Inc. (DOW) has a volatility of 10.74%. This indicates that DXD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DXD	DOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.12%	10.74%	-5.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.53%	33.37%	-13.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.67%	48.87%	-24.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.57%	33.79%	-4.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.86%	38.69%	-3.83%

Dividends

DXD vs. DOW - Dividend Comparison

DXD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.03%, less than DOW's 4.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DOW Dow Inc.	4.62%	8.98%	6.98%	5.11%	5.56%	4.94%	5.05%	3.84%	0.00%	0.00%
DXD ProShares UltraShort Dow30	4.03%	4.25%	5.91%	3.87%	0.25%	0.00%	0.31%	1.76%	1.15%	0.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DXD and DOW in my portfolio?

DXD and DOW have a correlation of -0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DXD or DOW?

DOW has higher volatility (10.74%) compared to DXD (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DXD dropped -99.72% vs DOW's -64.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.27 vs -1.06), 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.