SDOW vs. SPXU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SDOW (ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30) and SPXU (ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500) are both exchange-traded funds - SDOW is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average (-300%), while SPXU is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDOW returned -38.68%/yr vs -42.22%/yr for SPXU. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDOW charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for SPXU.

Performance

SDOW vs. SPXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) and ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDOW achieves a -20.67% return, which is significantly higher than SPXU's -23.43% return. Over the past 10 years, SDOW has outperformed SPXU with an annualized return of -38.68%, while SPXU has yielded a comparatively lower -42.22% annualized return.

SDOW

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: -6.88%
• YTD: -20.67%
• 6M: -18.99%
• 1Y: -44.96%
• 3Y*: -33.84%
• 5Y*: -26.47%
• 10Y*: -38.68%

SPXU

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: -23.43%
• 6M: -22.21%
• 1Y: -47.84%
• 3Y*: -41.66%
• 5Y*: -34.33%
• 10Y*: -42.22%

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

SDOW vs. SPXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDOW ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30	-20.67%	-33.94%	-25.95%	-28.78%	4.00%	-49.00%	-66.48%	-49.54%	-0.30%	-52.26%
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	-23.43%	-41.73%	-43.31%	-46.02%	36.05%	-57.94%	-70.39%	-56.27%	3.97%	-44.23%

Correlation

The correlation between SDOW and SPXU is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010	0.92

The correlation between SDOW and SPXU shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SDOW vs. SPXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDOW	SPXU
Financial Services	83.7%	82.5%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SDOW vs. SPXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDOW

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

SPXU

SPXU Risk / Return Rank: 0
SPXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
SPXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
SPXU Omega Ratio Rank: 0
SPXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
SPXU Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

SDOW vs. SPXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) and ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU). 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	SPXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.21	-1.29	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.87	-2.16	+0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.79	0.77	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-1.01	-0.98	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.65	-1.64	-0.02

SDOW vs. SPXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDOW Sharpe Ratio is -1.21, which is comparable to the SPXU Sharpe Ratio of -1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDOW and SPXU, 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. SPXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDOW drawdown since its inception was -99.96%, roughly equal to the maximum SPXU drawdown of -99.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDOW and SPXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDOW	SPXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.96%	-99.99%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-44.49%	-48.79%	+4.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-75.55%	-84.36%	+8.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-83.15%	-90.23%	+7.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.29%	-99.63%	+0.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.96%	-99.99%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.58%	-93.33%	+3.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.05%	31.21%	-2.16%

Volatility

SDOW vs. SPXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) is 12.43%, while ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) has a volatility of 13.69%. This indicates that SDOW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDOW	SPXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.43%	13.69%	-1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.43%	29.28%	+0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.23%	37.15%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.43%	50.59%	-6.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.23%	53.52%	-1.29%

SDOW vs. SPXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDOW has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXU's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDOW vs. SPXU - Dividend Comparison

SDOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.87%, less than SPXU's 7.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDOW ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30	5.87%	5.80%	8.30%	5.38%	0.36%	0.00%	0.52%	2.17%	1.23%	0.09%
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	7.66%	7.02%	9.53%	7.06%	0.39%	0.00%	0.70%	2.14%	1.41%	0.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDOW and SPXU in my portfolio?

SDOW and SPXU have a correlation of 0.81, 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 SPXU?

SPXU has higher volatility (13.69%) compared to SDOW (12.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDOW dropped -99.96% vs SPXU's -99.99%.

Which ETF is better, SDOW or SPXU?

On 10-year performance, SDOW leads with -38.68% vs -42.22% for SPXU. On fees, SPXU is cheaper at 0.90% per year. On volatility, SDOW has been the lower-risk option at 12.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDOW or SPXU?

Over the 10-year period, SDOW has performed better with a -38.68% return vs -42.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDOW or SPXU?

SPXU is cheaper with a 0.90% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SDOW.

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

SPXU has the higher dividend yield at 7.66%, compared with 5.87% for SDOW.

What is the main difference between SDOW and SPXU?

SDOW is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SPXU is S&P 500. SDOW tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average (-300%), while SPXU tracks S&P 500 Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SDOW and 0.90% for SPXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-1.21 vs -1.29), 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.