SCDL vs. USML

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCDL (ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN) and USML (ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds from UBS - SCDL tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 (200%) while USML tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCDL returned 9.40%/yr vs 8.11%/yr for USML. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

SCDL vs. USML - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN (SCDL) and ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN (USML). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCDL achieves a 37.06% return, which is significantly higher than USML's 2.96% return.

SCDL

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 37.06%
• 6M: 35.80%
• 1Y: 50.97%
• 3Y*: 22.79%
• 5Y*: 9.40%
• 10Y*: —

USML

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 3.76%
• YTD: 2.96%
• 6M: 2.63%
• 1Y: 2.80%
• 3Y*: 16.27%
• 5Y*: 8.11%
• 10Y*: —

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

SCDL vs. USML - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SCDL ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN	37.06%	2.05%	14.99%	0.18%	-13.06%	52.47%
USML ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN	2.96%	9.33%	23.97%	11.37%	-22.87%	42.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SCDL and USML is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2021	0.79

The correlation between SCDL and USML shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SCDL vs. USML — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCDL

SCDL Risk / Return Rank: 73
SCDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SCDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SCDL Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SCDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SCDL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

USML

USML Risk / Return Rank: 11
USML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
USML Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
USML Omega Ratio Rank: 10
USML Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
USML Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

SCDL vs. USML - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN (SCDL) and ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN (USML). 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.

	SCDL	USML	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	0.17	+2.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	0.35	+3.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.04	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.03	0.21	+4.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.65	0.65	+12.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCDL vs. USML - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCDL Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the USML Sharpe Ratio of 0.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCDL and USML, 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

	SCDL	USML	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	0.17	+2.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.33	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.44	+0.10

Drawdowns

SCDL vs. USML - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCDL drawdown since its inception was -34.87%, roughly equal to the maximum USML drawdown of -35.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCDL and USML.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCDL	USML	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.87%	-35.34%	+0.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.19%	-13.09%	+2.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.79%	-19.14%	-13.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.87%	-35.34%	+0.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.79%	-3.69%	+0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.96%	-10.41%	-1.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.04%	4.33%	-0.29%

Volatility

SCDL vs. USML - Volatility Comparison

ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN (SCDL) has a higher volatility of 5.20% compared to ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN (USML) at 4.22%. This indicates that SCDL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USML based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCDL	USML	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.20%	4.22%	+0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.82%	11.44%	+3.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.66%	16.38%	+5.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.02%	24.47%	+4.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.89%	24.29%	+4.60%

SCDL vs. USML - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCDL and USML have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

SCDL vs. USML - Dividend Comparison

Neither SCDL nor USML has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCDL and USML in my portfolio?

SCDL and USML have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCDL or USML?

SCDL has higher volatility (5.20%) compared to USML (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCDL dropped -34.87% vs USML's -35.34%.

Which ETF is better, SCDL or USML?

On 5-year performance, SCDL leads with 9.40% vs 8.11% for USML. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, USML has been the lower-risk option at 4.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCDL or USML?

Over the 5-year period, SCDL has performed better with a 9.40% return vs 8.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCDL or USML?

SCDL and USML have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCDL or USML?

SCDL and USML have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between SCDL and USML?

SCDL tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 (200%), while USML tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 0.17), 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.