RXL vs. UPW

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

RXL (ProShares Ultra Health Care) and UPW (ProShares Ultra Utilities) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - RXL tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index (200%) while UPW tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RXL returned 12.38%/yr vs 9.52%/yr for UPW. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

RXL vs. UPW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Health Care (RXL) and ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RXL achieves a -5.21% return, which is significantly lower than UPW's 1.51% return. Over the past 10 years, RXL has outperformed UPW with an annualized return of 12.38%, while UPW has yielded a comparatively lower 9.52% annualized return.

RXL

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 12.62%
• YTD: -5.21%
• 6M: -0.67%
• 1Y: 23.20%
• 3Y*: 5.75%
• 5Y*: 2.74%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

UPW

• 1D: -3.91%
• 1M: -5.56%
• YTD: 1.51%
• 6M: 2.81%
• 1Y: 12.18%
• 3Y*: 15.76%
• 5Y*: 9.14%
• 10Y*: 9.52%

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

RXL vs. UPW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RXL ProShares Ultra Health Care	-5.21%	19.76%	-2.72%	-3.15%	-15.26%	48.06%	19.24%	40.40%	3.38%	46.92%
UPW ProShares Ultra Utilities	1.51%	23.61%	37.67%	-22.37%	-4.59%	32.57%	-17.15%	48.59%	2.36%	22.53%

Correlation

The correlation between RXL and UPW is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2007	0.45

Over the past year, the correlation between RXL and UPW has dropped to 0.24 - well below their long-term average of 0.45, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RXL vs. UPW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RXL	UPW
Healthcare	78.0%	-
Financial Services	11.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

RXL vs. UPW — Risk / Return Rank

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

RXL

RXL Risk / Return Rank: 25
RXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
RXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
RXL Omega Ratio Rank: 24
RXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
RXL Martin Ratio Rank: 22

UPW

UPW Risk / Return Rank: 17
UPW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
UPW Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
UPW Omega Ratio Rank: 17
UPW Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
UPW Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

RXL vs. UPW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Health Care (RXL) and ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW). 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.

	RXL	UPW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	0.42	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.34	0.75	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.09	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.09	0.64	+0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.56	1.37	+1.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RXL vs. UPW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RXL Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is higher than the UPW Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RXL and UPW, 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

	RXL	UPW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77	0.42	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.27	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.26	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.25	+0.16

Drawdowns

RXL vs. UPW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RXL drawdown since its inception was -67.70%, smaller than the maximum UPW drawdown of -77.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RXL and UPW.

Drawdown Indicators

	RXL	UPW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.70%	-77.75%	+10.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.33%	-19.15%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.08%	-33.16%	-2.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.08%	-49.42%	+13.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.00%	-62.67%	+11.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.85%	-17.67%	+3.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.85%	-22.59%	+6.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.10%	8.94%	+0.16%

Volatility

RXL vs. UPW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Ultra Health Care (RXL) is 10.35%, while ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW) has a volatility of 11.60%. This indicates that RXL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UPW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RXL	UPW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.35%	11.60%	-1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.49%	23.71%	-2.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.20%	29.25%	+0.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.74%	34.46%	-4.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.29%	37.20%	-3.91%

RXL vs. UPW - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both RXL and UPW have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

RXL vs. UPW - Dividend Comparison

RXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, less than UPW's 1.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RXL ProShares Ultra Health Care	1.53%	1.43%	1.22%	0.18%	0.32%	0.10%	0.15%	0.27%	0.32%	0.11%	0.12%	0.93%
UPW ProShares Ultra Utilities	1.58%	1.67%	1.83%	2.40%	1.55%	1.30%	0.83%	0.83%	1.98%	1.51%	1.70%	2.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RXL and UPW in my portfolio?

RXL and UPW have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RXL or UPW?

UPW has higher volatility (11.60%) compared to RXL (10.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RXL dropped -67.70% vs UPW's -77.75%.

Which ETF is better, RXL or UPW?

On 10-year performance, RXL leads with 12.38% vs 9.52% for UPW. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, RXL has been the lower-risk option at 10.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RXL or UPW?

Over the 10-year period, RXL has performed better with a 12.38% return vs 9.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RXL or UPW?

RXL and UPW have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RXL or UPW?

UPW has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 1.53% for RXL.

What is the main difference between RXL and UPW?

RXL tracks Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index (200%), while UPW tracks Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index (200%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.77 vs 0.42), 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.