SDOW vs. DDM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SDOW (ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30) and DDM (ProShares Ultra Dow30) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - SDOW tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average (-300%) while DDM tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDOW returned -37.90%/yr vs 19.56%/yr for DDM. Their -1.00 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

SDOW vs. DDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) and ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDOW achieves a -23.66% return, which is significantly lower than DDM's 16.13% return. Over the past 10 years, SDOW has underperformed DDM with an annualized return of -37.90%, while DDM has yielded a comparatively higher 19.56% annualized return.

SDOW

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 2.39%
• 6M: -19.90%
• YTD: -23.66%
• 1Y: -42.17%
• 3Y*: -31.29%
• 5Y*: -25.49%
• 10Y*: -37.90%
• ALL TIME*: -38.23%

DDM

• 1D: 1.12%
• 1M: -1.71%
• 6M: 12.84%
• YTD: 16.13%
• 1Y: 39.25%
• 3Y*: 23.36%
• 5Y*: 13.10%
• 10Y*: 19.56%
• ALL TIME*: 14.39%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DDM ProShares Ultra Dow30	$15.17M	$13.22M	$12.31M
SDOW ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30	$85.35M	$79.85M	$111.34M

SDOW vs. DDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDOW ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30	-23.66%	-33.94%	-25.95%	-28.78%	4.00%	-49.00%	-66.48%	-49.54%	-0.30%	-52.26%
DDM ProShares Ultra Dow30	16.13%	20.59%	21.60%	24.34%	-19.48%	41.97%	2.14%	47.98%	-13.46%	59.56%

Correlation

The correlation between SDOW and DDM is -1.00, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-1.00
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-1.00
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	-1.00
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	-1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010	-1.00

The correlation between SDOW and DDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -1.00 to -1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDOW vs. DDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDOW	DDM
Financial Services	78.9%	27.0%
Basic Materials	-	4.0%
Communication Services	-	5.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.9%
Energy	-	1.9%
Healthcare	-	13.4%
Industrials	-	17.9%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	16.3%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SDOW vs. DDM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SDOW

SDOW Risk / Return Rank: 1
SDOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SDOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SDOW Omega Ratio Rank: 2
SDOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SDOW Martin Ratio Rank: 0

DDM

DDM Risk / Return Rank: 58
DDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
DDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
DDM Omega Ratio Rank: 58
DDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
DDM Martin Ratio Rank: 58

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SDOW vs. DDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) and ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM). 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.

	SDOW	DDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.07	1.43	-2.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.58	2.05	-3.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.25	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.90	1.86	-2.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.48	6.84	-8.32

SDOW vs. DDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDOW Sharpe Ratio is -1.07, which is lower than the DDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDOW and DDM, 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

SDOW vs. DDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDOW drawdown since its inception was -99.97%, which is greater than DDM's maximum drawdown of -81.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDOW and DDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDOW	DDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.97%	-81.70%	-18.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-44.20%	-19.31%	-24.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-76.85%	-31.62%	-45.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-84.05%	-40.18%	-43.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.21%	-63.13%	-36.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.96%	-2.51%	-97.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.65%	-17.21%	-72.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.97%	5.24%	+21.73%

Volatility

SDOW vs. DDM - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) has a higher volatility of 10.82% compared to ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM) at 7.43%. This indicates that SDOW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDOW	DDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.82%	7.43%	+3.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.51%	19.69%	+9.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.41%	25.10%	+12.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.40%	29.62%	+14.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.11%	34.75%	+17.36%

SDOW vs. DDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SDOW and DDM have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

SDOW vs. DDM - Dividend Comparison

SDOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.43%, more than DDM's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DDM ProShares Ultra Dow30	0.93%	0.94%	1.00%	0.27%	0.83%	0.18%	0.31%	0.62%	0.89%	0.68%	1.08%	1.23%
SDOW ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30	5.43%	5.80%	8.30%	5.38%	0.36%	0.00%	0.52%	2.17%	1.23%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDOW and DDM in my portfolio?

SDOW and DDM have a correlation of -1.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDOW or DDM?

SDOW has higher volatility (10.82%) compared to DDM (7.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDOW dropped -99.97% vs DDM's -81.70%.

Which ETF is better, SDOW or DDM?

On 10-year performance, DDM leads with 19.56% vs -37.90% for SDOW. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, DDM has been the lower-risk option at 7.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDOW or DDM?

Over the 10-year period, DDM has performed better with a 19.56% return vs -37.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDOW or DDM?

SDOW and DDM have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SDOW or DDM?

SDOW has the higher dividend yield at 5.43%, compared with 0.93% for DDM.

What is the main difference between SDOW and DDM?

SDOW tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average (-300%), while DDM tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (200%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs -1.07), 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.