SCO vs. GUSH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SCO (ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil) and GUSH (Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - SCO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index (-200%), while GUSH is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCO returned -37.10%/yr vs -37.01%/yr for GUSH. At a correlation of -0.65, they often move in opposite directions. SCO charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.17%/yr for GUSH.

Performance

SCO vs. GUSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO) and Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares (GUSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCO achieves a -57.74% return, which is significantly lower than GUSH's 42.54% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCO having a -37.10% annualized return and GUSH not far ahead at -37.01%.

SCO

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: 30.31%
• YTD: -57.74%
• 6M: -56.56%
• 1Y: -50.02%
• 3Y*: -32.22%
• 5Y*: -38.03%
• 10Y*: -37.10%

GUSH

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -19.15%
• YTD: 42.54%
• 6M: 41.51%
• 1Y: 31.85%
• 3Y*: 6.88%
• 5Y*: 6.25%
• 10Y*: -37.01%

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

SCO vs. GUSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCO ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil	-57.74%	15.90%	-19.00%	-12.41%	-62.59%	-72.62%	-4.20%	-58.50%	19.22%	-22.40%
GUSH Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares	42.54%	-19.39%	-12.73%	-7.23%	66.47%	129.94%	-97.38%	-52.68%	-74.28%	-40.21%

Correlation

The correlation between SCO and GUSH is -0.68, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2015	-0.65

The correlation between SCO and GUSH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.68 to -0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCO vs. GUSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCO

SCO Risk / Return Rank: 2
SCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
SCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
SCO Omega Ratio Rank: 2
SCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
SCO Martin Ratio Rank: 2

GUSH

GUSH Risk / Return Rank: 20
GUSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
GUSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
GUSH Omega Ratio Rank: 20
GUSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
GUSH Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

SCO vs. GUSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO) and Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares (GUSH). 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.

	SCO	GUSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.90	0.57	-1.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.34	1.08	-2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	1.13	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.69	0.88	-1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.35	2.32	-3.67

SCO vs. GUSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCO Sharpe Ratio is -0.90, which is lower than the GUSH Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCO and GUSH, 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

SCO vs. GUSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCO drawdown since its inception was -99.80%, roughly equal to the maximum GUSH drawdown of -99.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCO and GUSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCO	GUSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.80%	-99.98%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-72.24%	-36.18%	-36.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.76%	-63.59%	-15.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.80%	-73.64%	-21.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.51%	-99.94%	+0.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.72%	-99.83%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-85.20%	-92.92%	+7.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	37.01%	13.77%	+23.24%

Volatility

SCO vs. GUSH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO) is 15.93%, while Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares (GUSH) has a volatility of 18.01%. This indicates that SCO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GUSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCO	GUSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.93%	18.01%	-2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.12%	44.07%	+3.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	57.11%	56.58%	+0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	60.04%	68.20%	-8.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	71.88%	93.43%	-21.55%

SCO vs. GUSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCO has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than GUSH's 1.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCO vs. GUSH - Dividend Comparison

SCO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GUSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GUSH Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares	1.75%	2.60%	2.96%	3.00%	0.47%	0.00%	0.20%	1.68%	0.17%	0.00%	3.26%
SCO ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCO and GUSH in my portfolio?

SCO and GUSH have a correlation of -0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCO or GUSH?

GUSH has higher volatility (18.01%) compared to SCO (15.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCO dropped -99.80% vs GUSH's -99.98%.

Which ETF is better, SCO or GUSH?

On 10-year performance, GUSH leads with -37.01% vs -37.10% for SCO. On fees, SCO is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, SCO has been the lower-risk option at 15.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCO or GUSH?

Over the 10-year period, GUSH has performed better with a -37.01% return vs -37.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCO or GUSH?

SCO is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.17% for GUSH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCO or GUSH?

GUSH has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 0.00% for SCO.

What is the main difference between SCO and GUSH?

SCO is categorized as Oil & Gas, while GUSH is Leveraged Equities. SCO tracks Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index (-200%), while GUSH tracks S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SCO and 1.17% for GUSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GUSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.57 vs -0.90), 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.