SCDL vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SCDL (ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCDL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 (200%), while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCDL returned 10.07%/yr vs 13.13%/yr for VOO. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCDL charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

SCDL vs. VOO - 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 Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCDL achieves a 33.87% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 8.19% return.

SCDL

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: -5.06%
• YTD: 33.87%
• 6M: 32.94%
• 1Y: 45.29%
• 3Y*: 21.83%
• 5Y*: 10.07%
• 10Y*: —

VOO

• 1D: -1.42%
• 1M: -1.34%
• YTD: 8.19%
• 6M: 7.24%
• 1Y: 23.69%
• 3Y*: 20.78%
• 5Y*: 13.13%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

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

SCDL vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SCDL ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN	33.87%	2.05%	14.99%	0.18%	-13.06%	52.47%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.19%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	24.68%

Correlation

The correlation between SCDL and VOO is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2021	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between SCDL and VOO has dropped to 0.33 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

SCDL vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCDL

SCDL Risk / Return Rank: 71
SCDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SCDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SCDL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SCDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SCDL Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 59
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. VOO - 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 Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	SCDL	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.91	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	2.60	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.35	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.47	2.67	+1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.07	11.96	-0.89

SCDL vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCDL Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCDL and VOO, 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

SCDL vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCDL drawdown since its inception was -34.87%, roughly equal to the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCDL and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCDL	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.87%	-33.99%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.19%	-8.90%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.79%	-18.69%	-14.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.87%	-24.52%	-10.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.06%	-3.14%	-1.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.87%	-3.68%	-8.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	1.99%	+2.11%

Volatility

SCDL vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN (SCDL) has a higher volatility of 6.47% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 4.83%. This indicates that SCDL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCDL	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.47%	4.83%	+1.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.76%	9.82%	+4.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.70%	12.46%	+9.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.98%	16.91%	+12.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.81%	18.02%	+10.79%

SCDL vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCDL has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCDL vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

SCDL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCDL ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCDL and VOO in my portfolio?

SCDL and VOO have a correlation of 0.33, 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 VOO?

SCDL has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to VOO (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCDL dropped -34.87% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, SCDL or VOO?

On 5-year performance, VOO leads with 13.13% vs 10.07% for SCDL. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCDL or VOO?

Over the 5-year period, VOO has performed better with a 13.13% return vs 10.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCDL or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SCDL.

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

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.00% for SCDL.

What is the main difference between SCDL and VOO?

SCDL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. SCDL tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 (200%), while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: UBS and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SCDL and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.91), 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.