FSLEX vs. SSO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FSLEX (Fidelity Environment and Alternative Energy Fund) and SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P500) are both funds - FSLEX is a Alternative Energy Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while SSO is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Over the past 10 years, FSLEX returned 14.27%/yr vs 24.62%/yr for SSO. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FSLEX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for SSO.

Performance

FSLEX vs. SSO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Environment and Alternative Energy Fund (FSLEX) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FSLEX having a 15.85% return and SSO slightly higher at 16.27%. Over the past 10 years, FSLEX has underperformed SSO with an annualized return of 14.27%, while SSO has yielded a comparatively higher 24.62% annualized return.

FSLEX

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: 2.14%
• YTD: 15.85%
• 6M: 13.46%
• 1Y: 33.92%
• 3Y*: 21.55%
• 5Y*: 13.26%
• 10Y*: 14.27%

SSO

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: -0.46%
• YTD: 16.27%
• 6M: 15.09%
• 1Y: 49.34%
• 3Y*: 35.13%
• 5Y*: 18.87%
• 10Y*: 24.62%

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

FSLEX vs. SSO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSLEX Fidelity Environment and Alternative Energy Fund	15.85%	20.38%	20.01%	26.29%	-26.05%	30.30%	21.56%	26.86%	-13.49%	24.94%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	16.27%	26.19%	43.48%	46.65%	-38.98%	60.57%	21.54%	63.45%	-14.60%	44.35%

Correlation

The correlation between FSLEX and SSO is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2006	0.88

The correlation between FSLEX and SSO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FSLEX vs. SSO — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSLEX

FSLEX Risk / Return Rank: 54
FSLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
FSLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FSLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
FSLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FSLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SSO

SSO Risk / Return Rank: 59
SSO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SSO Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SSO Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SSO Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SSO Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

FSLEX vs. SSO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Environment and Alternative Energy Fund (FSLEX) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). 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.

	FSLEX	SSO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.00	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	2.56	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.34	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	2.73	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.55	11.61	-0.06

FSLEX vs. SSO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSLEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the SSO Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSLEX and SSO, 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

FSLEX vs. SSO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSLEX drawdown since its inception was -50.21%, smaller than the maximum SSO drawdown of -84.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSLEX and SSO.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSLEX	SSO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.21%	-84.67%	+34.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.41%	-18.17%	+6.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.04%	-35.21%	+11.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.67%	-46.73%	+14.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.77%	-59.34%	+19.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-3.96%	+2.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.91%	-19.53%	+5.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.91%	4.26%	-1.35%

Volatility

FSLEX vs. SSO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Environment and Alternative Energy Fund (FSLEX) is 6.94%, while ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) has a volatility of 9.26%. This indicates that FSLEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SSO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSLEX	SSO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.94%	9.26%	-2.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.83%	19.46%	-5.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.16%	24.79%	-7.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.80%	33.82%	-13.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.54%	35.99%	-14.45%

FSLEX vs. SSO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSLEX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than SSO's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSLEX vs. SSO - Dividend Comparison

FSLEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.56%, more than SSO's 0.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSLEX Fidelity Environment and Alternative Energy Fund	1.56%	0.37%	0.41%	0.39%	0.69%	7.74%	6.41%	2.17%	6.39%	6.19%	1.29%	3.01%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	0.63%	0.68%	0.85%	0.18%	0.50%	0.18%	0.20%	0.50%	0.75%	0.39%	0.51%	0.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSLEX and SSO in my portfolio?

FSLEX and SSO have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSLEX or SSO?

SSO has higher volatility (9.26%) compared to FSLEX (6.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSLEX dropped -50.21% vs SSO's -84.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.96), 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.