ROM vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ROM (ProShares Ultra Technology) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ROM is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index (200%), while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROM returned 42.70%/yr vs 25.84%/yr for XLK. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ROM charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

ROM vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Technology (ROM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROM achieves a 77.72% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 36.47% return. Over the past 10 years, ROM has outperformed XLK with an annualized return of 42.70%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively lower 25.84% annualized return.

ROM

• 1D: -2.01%
• 1M: 45.36%
• YTD: 77.72%
• 6M: 74.45%
• 1Y: 152.07%
• 3Y*: 59.24%
• 5Y*: 31.70%
• 10Y*: 42.70%

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

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

ROM vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROM ProShares Ultra Technology	77.72%	35.63%	31.65%	130.70%	-63.86%	77.75%	80.42%	102.10%	-9.89%	81.11%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between ROM and XLK is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2007	0.97

The correlation between ROM and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROM vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROM	XLK
Technology	55.2%	99.7%
Financial Services	3.0%	-
Energy	0.1%	0.2%
Industrials	0.0%	0.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ROM vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROM

ROM Risk / Return Rank: 83
ROM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ROM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
ROM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
ROM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ROM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

ROM vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Technology (ROM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	ROM	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.66	3.24	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	3.92	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.52	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.73	4.22	+0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.47	14.16	+0.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ROM vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROM Sharpe Ratio is 3.66, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROM and XLK, 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

	ROM	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.66	3.24	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.96	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	1.06	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.42	+0.12

Drawdowns

ROM vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROM drawdown since its inception was -83.36%, roughly equal to the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROM and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROM	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.36%	-82.05%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.33%	-15.92%	-16.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.10%	-25.66%	-22.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.55%	-33.56%	-33.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-67.55%	-33.56%	-33.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	-1.00%	-1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.88%	-34.96%	+14.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.55%	4.74%	+5.81%

Volatility

ROM vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Technology (ROM) has a higher volatility of 14.00% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 6.98%. This indicates that ROM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROM	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.00%	6.98%	+7.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.37%	16.68%	+16.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.83%	20.82%	+21.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.63%	24.90%	+26.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.82%	24.49%	+25.33%

ROM vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROM has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROM vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

ROM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than XLK's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROM ProShares Ultra Technology	0.14%	0.24%	0.21%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.05%	0.16%	0.30%	0.08%	0.20%	0.12%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROM and XLK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, ROM and XLK move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ROM or XLK?

ROM has higher volatility (14.00%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROM dropped -83.36% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, ROM or XLK?

On 10-year performance, ROM leads with 42.70% vs 25.84% for XLK. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 6.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROM or XLK?

Over the 10-year period, ROM has performed better with a 42.70% return vs 25.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROM or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ROM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ROM or XLK?

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.14% for ROM.

What is the main difference between ROM and XLK?

ROM is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while XLK is Technology Equities. ROM tracks Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index (200%), while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ROM and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.66 vs 3.24), 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.