REW vs. VXX
REW (ProShares UltraShort Technology) and VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - REW is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index (-200%), while VXX is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REW returned -45.16%/yr vs -46.78%/yr for VXX. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. REW charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for VXX.
Performance
REW vs. VXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, REW achieves a -48.44% return, which is significantly lower than VXX's -8.16% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with REW having a -45.16% annualized return and VXX not far behind at -46.78%.
REW
- 1D
- 2.13%
- 1M
- -32.71%
- YTD
- -48.44%
- 6M
- -47.77%
- 1Y
- -65.29%
- 3Y*
- -47.19%
- 5Y*
- -40.21%
- 10Y*
- -45.16%
VXX
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- -15.21%
- YTD
- -8.16%
- 6M
- -22.63%
- 1Y
- -53.35%
- 3Y*
- -42.02%
- 5Y*
- -46.10%
- 10Y*
- -46.78%
REW vs. VXX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REW ProShares UltraShort Technology | -48.44% | -43.15% | -33.70% | -61.35% | 65.72% | -53.61% | -71.34% | -56.83% | -10.02% | -49.11% |
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | -8.16% | -42.21% | -26.22% | -72.52% | -23.80% | -72.41% | 11.04% | -67.75% | 67.91% | -72.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between REW and VXX is 0.59, 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 | 0.59 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2009 | 0.66 |
The correlation between REW and VXX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
REW vs. VXX — Risk / Return Rank
REW
VXX
REW vs. VXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Technology (REW) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX). 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.
| REW | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.56 | -0.96 | -0.59 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.03 | -1.56 | -1.47 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.69 | 0.82 | -0.14 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.99 | -0.95 | -0.04 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -2.00 | -1.34 | -0.66 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| REW | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -1.56 | -0.96 | -0.59 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.78 | -0.68 | -0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.93 | -0.66 | -0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | -0.79 | -0.77 | -0.03 |
Drawdowns
REW vs. VXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum REW drawdown since its inception was -99.99%, roughly equal to the maximum VXX drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REW and VXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| REW | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -99.99% | -100.00% | +0.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -66.25% | -56.23% | -10.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -86.76% | -80.28% | -6.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -93.62% | -95.68% | +2.06% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -99.79% | -99.86% | +0.07% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -99.99% | -100.00% | +0.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -86.88% | -95.08% | +8.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 32.60% | 39.88% | -7.28% |
Volatility
REW vs. VXX - Volatility Comparison
ProShares UltraShort Technology (REW) has a higher volatility of 14.84% compared to iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) at 8.29%. This indicates that REW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| REW | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.84% | 8.29% | +6.55% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 34.14% | 40.88% | -6.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 42.11% | 55.57% | -13.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 51.64% | 67.96% | -16.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 48.83% | 70.96% | -22.13% |
REW vs. VXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
REW has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VXX's 0.89% expense ratio.
Dividends
REW vs. VXX - Dividend Comparison
REW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.04%, while VXX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REW ProShares UltraShort Technology | 11.04% | 6.69% | 5.68% | 5.97% | 0.65% | 0.00% | 0.27% | 1.80% | 0.51% |
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
REW and VXX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
REW has higher volatility (14.84%) compared to VXX (8.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REW dropped -99.99% vs VXX's -100.00%.
On 10-year performance, REW leads with -45.16% vs -46.78% for VXX. On fees, VXX is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, VXX has been the lower-risk option at 8.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, REW has performed better with a -45.16% return vs -46.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VXX is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for REW.
REW has the higher dividend yield at 11.04%, compared with 0.00% for VXX.
REW is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VXX is Volatility. REW tracks Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index (-200%), while VXX tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Barclays Capital. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for REW and 0.89% for VXX.
VXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.96 vs -1.56), 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.
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