SDS vs. IAU
Compare and contrast key facts about ProShares UltraShort S&P500 (SDS) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).
SDS and IAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SDS is a passively managed fund by ProShares that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index (-200%). It was launched on Jul 11, 2006. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Jan 28, 2005. Both SDS and IAU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: SDS or IAU.
Key characteristics
| SDS | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -32.69% | 29.90% |
| 1Y Return | -43.49% | 36.88% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -17.01% | 13.33% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | -30.99% | 12.80% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | -26.19% | 8.49% |
| Sharpe Ratio | -1.74 | 2.57 |
| Sortino Ratio | -2.84 | 3.40 |
| Omega Ratio | 0.69 | 1.45 |
| Calmar Ratio | -0.43 | 5.48 |
| Martin Ratio | -1.47 | 17.00 |
| Ulcer Index | 28.96% | 2.20% |
| Daily Std Dev | 24.54% | 14.53% |
| Max Drawdown | -99.76% | -45.14% |
| Current Drawdown | -99.76% | -3.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between SDS and IAU is -0.06. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.
Performance
SDS vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, SDS achieves a -32.69% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 29.90% return. Over the past 10 years, SDS has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of -26.19%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 8.49% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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SDS vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
SDS has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
SDS vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort S&P500 (SDS) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.
Dividends
SDS vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
SDS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.93%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDS ProShares UltraShort S&P500 | 8.93% | 5.77% | 0.35% | 0.00% | 0.55% | 1.84% | 1.28% | 0.09% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
SDS vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SDS drawdown since its inception was -99.76%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDS and IAU. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
SDS vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
ProShares UltraShort S&P500 (SDS) has a higher volatility of 7.97% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 4.90%. This indicates that SDS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.