SDOW vs. UPRO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SDOW (ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30) and UPRO (ProShares UltraPro S&P 500) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - SDOW tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average (-300%) while UPRO tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDOW returned -37.90%/yr vs 28.48%/yr for UPRO. Their -0.91 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. SDOW charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for UPRO.

Performance

SDOW vs. UPRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO). 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 UPRO's 21.72% return. Over the past 10 years, SDOW has underperformed UPRO with an annualized return of -37.90%, while UPRO has yielded a comparatively higher 28.48% 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%

UPRO

• 1D: 1.97%
• 1M: -0.35%
• 6M: 17.81%
• YTD: 21.72%
• 1Y: 53.86%
• 3Y*: 41.29%
• 5Y*: 19.17%
• 10Y*: 28.48%
• ALL TIME*: 33.11%

*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)
SDOW ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30	$85.35M	$79.85M	$111.34M
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500	$288.84M	$293.51M	$361.12M

SDOW vs. UPRO - 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%
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500	21.72%	31.88%	63.57%	68.53%	-56.84%	98.64%	10.09%	102.30%	-25.11%	71.37%

Correlation

The correlation between SDOW and UPRO is -0.80, 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.	-0.80
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.82
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	-0.87
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	-0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010	-0.91

The correlation between SDOW and UPRO shifts across timeframes, from -0.91 (all time) to -0.80 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SDOW vs. UPRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDOW	UPRO
Financial Services	78.9%	11.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Communication Services	-	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.0%
Healthcare	-	8.9%
Industrials	-	8.4%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	38.5%
Utilities	-	2.2%

Return for Risk

SDOW vs. UPRO — 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

UPRO

UPRO Risk / Return Rank: 50
UPRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
UPRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
UPRO Omega Ratio Rank: 48
UPRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
UPRO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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. UPRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO). 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	UPRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.07	1.21	-2.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.58	1.70	-3.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.22	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.90	1.73	-2.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.48	6.63	-8.11

SDOW vs. UPRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDOW Sharpe Ratio is -1.07, which is lower than the UPRO Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDOW and UPRO, 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. UPRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDOW drawdown since its inception was -99.97%, which is greater than UPRO's maximum drawdown of -76.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDOW and UPRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDOW	UPRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.97%	-76.82%	-23.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-44.20%	-26.78%	-17.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-76.85%	-48.87%	-27.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-84.05%	-63.94%	-20.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.21%	-76.82%	-22.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.96%	-6.81%	-93.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.65%	-14.35%	-75.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.97%	7.00%	+19.97%

Volatility

SDOW vs. UPRO - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) have volatilities of 10.82% and 10.69%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDOW	UPRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.82%	10.69%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.51%	30.36%	-0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.41%	38.51%	-1.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.40%	50.70%	-6.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.11%	53.78%	-1.67%

SDOW vs. UPRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDOW has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than UPRO's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDOW vs. UPRO - Dividend Comparison

SDOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.43%, more than UPRO's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500	0.77%	0.84%	0.93%	0.74%	0.52%	0.06%	0.11%	0.41%	0.63%	0.00%	0.12%	0.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDOW and UPRO in my portfolio?

SDOW and UPRO have a correlation of -0.80, 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 UPRO?

SDOW has higher volatility (10.82%) compared to UPRO (10.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDOW dropped -99.97% vs UPRO's -76.82%.

Which ETF is better, SDOW or UPRO?

On 10-year performance, UPRO leads with 28.48% vs -37.90% for SDOW. On fees, UPRO is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, UPRO has been the lower-risk option at 10.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDOW or UPRO?

Over the 10-year period, UPRO has performed better with a 28.48% 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 UPRO?

UPRO is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SDOW.

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

SDOW has the higher dividend yield at 5.43%, compared with 0.77% for UPRO.

What is the main difference between SDOW and UPRO?

SDOW tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average (-300%), while UPRO tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SDOW and 0.89% for UPRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UPRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 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.