PEX vs. UPRO

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

PEX (ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF) and UPRO (ProShares UltraPro S&P 500) are both exchange-traded funds - PEX is a Financials Equities fund tracking the LPX Direct Listed Private Equity Index, while UPRO is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PEX returned 4.92%/yr vs 28.60%/yr for UPRO. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PEX charges 3.13%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for UPRO.

Performance

PEX vs. UPRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PEX achieves a -7.84% return, which is significantly lower than UPRO's 24.61% return. Over the past 10 years, PEX has underperformed UPRO with an annualized return of 4.92%, while UPRO has yielded a comparatively higher 28.60% annualized return.

PEX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 3.24%
• 6M: -10.07%
• YTD: -7.84%
• 1Y: -14.95%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 0.32%
• 10Y*: 4.92%

UPRO

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: -0.15%
• 6M: 19.67%
• YTD: 24.61%
• 1Y: 54.64%
• 3Y*: 43.89%
• 5Y*: 20.84%
• 10Y*: 28.60%

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

PEX vs. UPRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PEX ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF	-7.84%	0.21%	13.05%	23.11%	-25.98%	28.34%	-1.14%	25.53%	-13.31%	14.33%
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500	24.61%	31.88%	63.57%	68.53%	-56.84%	98.64%	10.09%	102.30%	-25.11%	71.37%

Correlation

The correlation between PEX and UPRO is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2013	0.60

The correlation between PEX and UPRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.70 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PEX vs. UPRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PEX	UPRO
Financial Services	96.7%	11.1%
Industrials	1.6%	7.8%
Healthcare	1.4%	8.3%
Basic Materials	0.3%	1.7%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	39.1%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

PEX vs. UPRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEX

PEX Risk / Return Rank: 3
PEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
PEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
PEX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
PEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
PEX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

UPRO

UPRO Risk / Return Rank: 51
UPRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UPRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
UPRO Omega Ratio Rank: 48
UPRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
UPRO Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

PEX vs. UPRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO). 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.

	PEX	UPRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.94	1.46	-2.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.25	1.96	-3.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	1.25	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.61	2.05	-2.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.07	8.08	-9.16

PEX vs. UPRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEX Sharpe Ratio is -0.94, which is lower than the UPRO Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEX and UPRO, 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

PEX vs. UPRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEX drawdown since its inception was -49.17%, smaller than the maximum UPRO drawdown of -76.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEX and UPRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEX	UPRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.17%	-76.82%	+27.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.72%	-26.78%	+2.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.72%	-48.87%	+24.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.58%	-63.94%	+27.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.17%	-76.82%	+27.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.70%	-4.60%	-12.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.31%	-14.36%	+6.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.93%	6.78%	+7.15%

Volatility

PEX vs. UPRO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) is 3.97%, while ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) has a volatility of 10.61%. This indicates that PEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UPRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEX	UPRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	10.61%	-6.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.62%	30.01%	-16.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.97%	37.59%	-21.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.01%	50.67%	-32.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.25%	53.71%	-34.46%

PEX vs. UPRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEX has a 3.13% expense ratio, which is higher than UPRO's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEX vs. UPRO - Dividend Comparison

PEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.61%, more than UPRO's 0.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PEX ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF	8.61%	12.80%	14.11%	13.02%	1.77%	13.64%	5.52%	7.94%	4.72%	24.26%	3.24%	12.50%
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500	0.75%	0.84%	0.93%	0.74%	0.52%	0.06%	0.11%	0.41%	0.63%	0.00%	0.12%	0.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEX and UPRO in my portfolio?

PEX and UPRO have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PEX or UPRO?

UPRO has higher volatility (10.61%) compared to PEX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEX dropped -49.17% vs UPRO's -76.82%.

Which ETF is better, PEX or UPRO?

On 10-year performance, UPRO leads with 28.60% vs 4.92% for PEX. On fees, UPRO is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, PEX has been the lower-risk option at 3.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PEX or UPRO?

Over the 10-year period, UPRO has performed better with a 28.60% return vs 4.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PEX or UPRO?

UPRO is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 3.13% for PEX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PEX or UPRO?

PEX has the higher dividend yield at 8.61%, compared with 0.75% for UPRO.

What is the main difference between PEX and UPRO?

PEX is categorized as Financials Equities, while UPRO is Leveraged Equities. PEX tracks LPX Direct Listed Private Equity Index, while UPRO tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 3.13% for PEX and 0.89% for UPRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UPRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs -0.94), 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.