SAA vs. MIDU

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

SAA (ProShares Ultra SmallCap600) and MIDU (Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds - SAA tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index (200%) while MIDU tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SAA returned 11.73%/yr vs 10.70%/yr for MIDU. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SAA charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for MIDU.

Performance

SAA vs. MIDU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 (SAA) and Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAA achieves a 40.69% return, which is significantly higher than MIDU's 34.47% return. Over the past 10 years, SAA has outperformed MIDU with an annualized return of 11.73%, while MIDU has yielded a comparatively lower 10.70% annualized return.

SAA

• 1D: -1.26%
• 1M: 2.42%
• 6M: 23.30%
• YTD: 40.69%
• 1Y: 58.53%
• 3Y*: 16.94%
• 5Y*: 4.80%
• 10Y*: 11.73%
• ALL TIME*: 9.34%

MIDU

• 1D: -2.52%
• 1M: -4.35%
• 6M: 13.38%
• YTD: 34.47%
• 1Y: 43.49%
• 3Y*: 16.82%
• 5Y*: 3.53%
• 10Y*: 10.70%
• ALL TIME*: 21.76%

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

SAA vs. MIDU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAA ProShares Ultra SmallCap600	40.69%	0.29%	5.60%	21.32%	-36.17%	51.77%	-1.79%	42.39%	-23.00%	23.94%
MIDU Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares	34.47%	-2.75%	20.32%	27.79%	-49.27%	72.89%	-18.31%	77.38%	-39.21%	46.86%

Correlation

The correlation between SAA and MIDU is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 8, 2009	0.89

The correlation between SAA and MIDU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

SAA vs. MIDU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SAA	MIDU
Financial Services	17.1%	13.9%
Industrials	15.6%	25.3%
Technology	15.5%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.2%	10.5%
Healthcare	12.4%	8.9%
Real Estate	7.6%	7.3%
Energy	4.7%	4.6%
Basic Materials	4.7%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	3.2%
Communication Services	3.2%	1.5%
Utilities	1.8%	2.9%

Return for Risk

SAA vs. MIDU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAA

SAA Risk / Return Rank: 72
SAA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SAA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SAA Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SAA Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SAA Martin Ratio Rank: 77

MIDU

MIDU Risk / Return Rank: 39
MIDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
MIDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
MIDU Omega Ratio Rank: 35
MIDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
MIDU Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

SAA vs. MIDU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 (SAA) and Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU). 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.

	SAA	MIDU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	0.93	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	1.54	+0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.18	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	1.69	+1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.51	5.54	+4.97

SAA vs. MIDU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAA Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is higher than the MIDU Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAA and MIDU, 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

SAA vs. MIDU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAA drawdown since its inception was -87.39%, roughly equal to the maximum MIDU drawdown of -86.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAA and MIDU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAA	MIDU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-87.39%	-86.26%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.21%	-25.80%	+7.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.84%	-60.41%	+9.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.37%	-64.14%	+8.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-74.54%	-86.26%	+11.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.54%	-9.11%	+4.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.26%	-22.31%	-4.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.59%	7.87%	-2.28%

Volatility

SAA vs. MIDU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 (SAA) is 7.48%, while Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU) has a volatility of 10.31%. This indicates that SAA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MIDU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAA	MIDU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.48%	10.31%	-2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.17%	34.74%	-10.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.47%	47.11%	-11.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.28%	59.24%	-15.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	46.01%	63.46%	-17.45%

SAA vs. MIDU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAA has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than MIDU's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAA vs. MIDU - Dividend Comparison

SAA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, more than MIDU's 0.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
MIDU Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares	0.53%	1.04%	1.10%	1.43%	0.11%	0.00%	0.06%	0.71%	0.70%	2.67%	1.89%
SAA ProShares Ultra SmallCap600	0.77%	1.05%	1.36%	0.88%	0.46%	0.00%	0.03%	0.35%	0.27%	0.00%	0.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAA and MIDU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, SAA and MIDU 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, SAA or MIDU?

MIDU has higher volatility (10.31%) compared to SAA (7.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAA dropped -87.39% vs MIDU's -86.26%.

Which ETF is better, SAA or MIDU?

On 10-year performance, SAA leads with 11.73% vs 10.70% for MIDU. On fees, SAA is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, SAA has been the lower-risk option at 7.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SAA or MIDU?

Over the 10-year period, SAA has performed better with a 11.73% return vs 10.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SAA or MIDU?

SAA is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for MIDU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SAA or MIDU?

SAA has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.53% for MIDU.

What is the main difference between SAA and MIDU?

SAA tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index (200%), while MIDU tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SAA and 1.06% for MIDU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 0.93), 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.