GUSH vs. SCO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GUSH (Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares) and SCO (ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil) are both exchange-traded funds - GUSH is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (300%), while SCO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GUSH returned -37.01%/yr vs -37.10%/yr for SCO. At a correlation of -0.65, they often move in opposite directions. GUSH charges 1.17%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SCO.

Performance

GUSH vs. SCO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares (GUSH) and ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GUSH achieves a 42.54% return, which is significantly higher than SCO's -57.74% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GUSH having a -37.01% annualized return and SCO not far behind at -37.10%.

GUSH

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -19.15%
• YTD: 42.54%
• 6M: 41.51%
• 1Y: 31.85%
• 3Y*: 6.88%
• 5Y*: 6.25%
• 10Y*: -37.01%

SCO

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: 30.31%
• YTD: -57.74%
• 6M: -56.56%
• 1Y: -50.02%
• 3Y*: -32.22%
• 5Y*: -38.03%
• 10Y*: -37.10%

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

GUSH vs. SCO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GUSH Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares	42.54%	-19.39%	-12.73%	-7.23%	66.47%	129.94%	-97.38%	-52.68%	-74.28%	-40.21%
SCO ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil	-57.74%	15.90%	-19.00%	-12.41%	-62.59%	-72.62%	-4.20%	-58.50%	19.22%	-22.40%

Correlation

The correlation between GUSH and SCO is -0.68, 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	-0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2015	-0.65

The correlation between GUSH and SCO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.68 to -0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GUSH vs. SCO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GUSH

GUSH Risk / Return Rank: 20
GUSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
GUSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
GUSH Omega Ratio Rank: 20
GUSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
GUSH Martin Ratio Rank: 20

SCO

SCO Risk / Return Rank: 2
SCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
SCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
SCO Omega Ratio Rank: 2
SCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
SCO Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

GUSH vs. SCO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares (GUSH) and ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO). 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.

	GUSH	SCO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	-0.90	+1.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	-1.34	+2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	0.86	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.88	-0.69	+1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.32	-1.35	+3.67

GUSH vs. SCO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GUSH Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is higher than the SCO Sharpe Ratio of -0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GUSH and SCO, 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

GUSH vs. SCO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GUSH drawdown since its inception was -99.98%, roughly equal to the maximum SCO drawdown of -99.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GUSH and SCO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GUSH	SCO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.98%	-99.80%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.18%	-72.24%	+36.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-63.59%	-78.76%	+15.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.64%	-94.80%	+21.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.94%	-99.51%	-0.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.83%	-99.72%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-92.92%	-85.20%	-7.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.77%	37.01%	-23.24%

Volatility

GUSH vs. SCO - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares (GUSH) has a higher volatility of 18.01% compared to ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO) at 15.93%. This indicates that GUSH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GUSH	SCO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.01%	15.93%	+2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	44.07%	47.12%	-3.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	56.58%	57.11%	-0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	68.20%	60.04%	+8.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	93.43%	71.88%	+21.55%

GUSH vs. SCO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GUSH has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than SCO's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

GUSH vs. SCO - Dividend Comparison

GUSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, while SCO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GUSH Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares	1.75%	2.60%	2.96%	3.00%	0.47%	0.00%	0.20%	1.68%	0.17%	0.00%	3.26%
SCO ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil	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 GUSH and SCO in my portfolio?

GUSH and SCO have a correlation of -0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GUSH or SCO?

GUSH has higher volatility (18.01%) compared to SCO (15.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GUSH dropped -99.98% vs SCO's -99.80%.

Which ETF is better, GUSH or SCO?

On 10-year performance, GUSH leads with -37.01% vs -37.10% for SCO. On fees, SCO is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, SCO has been the lower-risk option at 15.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GUSH or SCO?

Over the 10-year period, GUSH has performed better with a -37.01% return vs -37.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GUSH or SCO?

SCO is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.17% for GUSH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GUSH or SCO?

GUSH has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 0.00% for SCO.

What is the main difference between GUSH and SCO?

GUSH is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SCO is Oil & Gas. GUSH tracks S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (300%), while SCO tracks Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index (-200%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 1.17% for GUSH and 0.95% for SCO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GUSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.57 vs -0.90), 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.