KOLD vs. BITO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

KOLD (ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas) and BITO (ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KOLD is a Leveraged Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex (TR) (200%), while BITO is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by ProShares. KOLD is passively managed, while BITO is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, KOLD returned -19.53%/yr vs 26.52%/yr for BITO. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

KOLD vs. BITO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas (KOLD) and ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KOLD achieves a -34.34% return, which is significantly lower than BITO's -24.14% return.

KOLD

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: -9.50%
• YTD: -34.34%
• 6M: -7.88%
• 1Y: 1.67%
• 3Y*: -19.53%
• 5Y*: -40.39%
• 10Y*: -26.16%

BITO

• 1D: -5.85%
• 1M: -14.50%
• YTD: -24.14%
• 6M: -27.28%
• 1Y: -38.17%
• 3Y*: 26.52%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KOLD vs. BITO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
KOLD ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas	-34.34%	-17.48%	-11.34%	249.82%	-88.62%	48.77%
BITO ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF	-24.14%	-11.19%	104.45%	137.33%	-63.91%	-31.09%

Correlation

The correlation between KOLD and BITO is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2021	0.01

The correlation between KOLD and BITO shifts across timeframes, from 0.01 (all time) to 0.13 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

KOLD vs. BITO — Risk / Return Rank

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

KOLD

KOLD Risk / Return Rank: 11
KOLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
KOLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
KOLD Omega Ratio Rank: 18
KOLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
KOLD Martin Ratio Rank: 7

BITO

BITO Risk / Return Rank: 2
BITO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BITO Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
BITO Omega Ratio Rank: 2
BITO Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
BITO 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.

KOLD vs. BITO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas (KOLD) and ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO). 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.

	KOLD	BITO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.01	-0.88	+0.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.87	-1.21	+2.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	0.86	+0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.18	-0.77	+0.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.37	-1.33	+0.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KOLD vs. BITO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KOLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.01, which is higher than the BITO Sharpe Ratio of -0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KOLD and BITO, 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

	KOLD	BITO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01	-0.88	+0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.34	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.26	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.14	-0.08	-0.06

Drawdowns

KOLD vs. BITO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KOLD drawdown since its inception was -99.45%, which is greater than BITO's maximum drawdown of -77.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KOLD and BITO.

Drawdown Indicators

	KOLD	BITO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.45%	-77.86%	-21.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-72.50%	-50.05%	-22.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-84.34%	-50.05%	-34.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-98.45%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-97.32%	-47.68%	-49.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-69.48%	-36.72%	-32.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	35.85%	28.93%	+6.92%

Volatility

KOLD vs. BITO - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas (KOLD) has a higher volatility of 24.65% compared to ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) at 9.61%. This indicates that KOLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BITO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KOLD	BITO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.65%	9.61%	+15.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	99.52%	34.65%	+64.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	114.40%	43.48%	+70.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	118.74%	55.12%	+63.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	101.77%	55.12%	+46.65%

KOLD vs. BITO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both KOLD and BITO have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

KOLD vs. BITO - Dividend Comparison

KOLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BITO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 65.64%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BITO ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF	65.64%	78.29%	61.59%	15.14%
KOLD ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KOLD and BITO in my portfolio?

KOLD and BITO have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KOLD or BITO?

KOLD has higher volatility (24.65%) compared to BITO (9.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KOLD dropped -99.45% vs BITO's -77.86%.

Which ETF is better, KOLD or BITO?

On 3-year performance, BITO leads with 26.52% vs -19.53% for KOLD. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, BITO has been the lower-risk option at 9.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KOLD or BITO?

Over the 3-year period, BITO has performed better with a 26.52% return vs -19.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KOLD or BITO?

KOLD and BITO have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KOLD or BITO?

BITO has the higher dividend yield at 65.64%, compared with 0.00% for KOLD.

What is the main difference between KOLD and BITO?

KOLD is categorized as Leveraged Commodities, while BITO is Cryptocurrency.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KOLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.01 vs -0.88), 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.