SH vs. SEF

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SH (ProShares Short S&P500) and SEF (ProShares Short Financials) are both Inverse Equities funds from ProShares - SH tracks the S&P 500 Index (-100% daily) while SEF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (-100%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SH returned -12.51%/yr vs -12.23%/yr for SEF. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SH charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SEF.

Performance

SH vs. SEF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SH achieves a -7.18% return, which is significantly lower than SEF's -1.02% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SH having a -12.51% annualized return and SEF not far ahead at -12.23%.

SH

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: -0.85%
• 6M: -5.53%
• YTD: -7.18%
• 1Y: -13.05%
• 3Y*: -11.50%
• 5Y*: -8.24%
• 10Y*: -12.51%

SEF

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: -4.86%
• 6M: -0.23%
• YTD: -1.02%
• 1Y: -3.98%
• 3Y*: -12.00%
• 5Y*: -7.28%
• 10Y*: -12.23%

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

SH vs. SEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SH ProShares Short S&P500	-7.18%	-11.35%	-13.52%	-14.80%	18.98%	-24.21%	-25.09%	-22.12%	4.93%	-17.36%
SEF ProShares Short Financials	-1.02%	-9.82%	-17.81%	-8.81%	11.85%	-27.02%	-16.93%	-23.51%	10.34%	-17.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SH and SEF is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2008	0.83

Over the past year, the correlation between SH and SEF has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.83, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SH vs. SEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SH	SEF
Financial Services	98.8%	74.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SH vs. SEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SH

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

SEF

SEF Risk / Return Rank: 6
SEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
SEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
SEF Omega Ratio Rank: 6
SEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
SEF Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

SH vs. SEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short S&P500 (SH) and ProShares Short Financials (SEF). 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.

	SH	SEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.05	-0.27	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.48	-0.30	-1.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	0.97	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.82	-0.28	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.55	-0.73	-0.82

SH vs. SEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SH Sharpe Ratio is -1.05, which is lower than the SEF Sharpe Ratio of -0.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SH and SEF, 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

SH vs. SEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SH drawdown since its inception was -94.66%, roughly equal to the maximum SEF drawdown of -96.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SH and SEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SH	SEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.66%	-96.51%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.06%	-14.12%	-1.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-38.82%	-39.40%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.53%	-41.62%	-2.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-74.80%	-73.40%	-1.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-94.57%	-96.45%	+1.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-67.85%	-82.78%	+14.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.41%	5.43%	+2.98%

Volatility

SH vs. SEF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Short S&P500 (SH) is 4.09%, while ProShares Short Financials (SEF) has a volatility of 4.35%. This indicates that SH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SH	SEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.09%	4.35%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.95%	11.33%	-1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.51%	14.65%	-2.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.96%	17.98%	-1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.00%	20.45%	-2.45%

SH vs. SEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SH has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is lower than SEF's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

SH vs. SEF - Dividend Comparison

SH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, more than SEF's 3.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SEF ProShares Short Financials	3.39%	4.33%	5.72%	4.43%	0.39%	0.00%	0.12%	1.25%	0.41%	0.00%
SH ProShares Short S&P500	4.21%	4.49%	6.20%	5.37%	1.08%	0.00%	0.16%	1.76%	1.01%	0.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SH and SEF in my portfolio?

SH and SEF have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SH or SEF?

SEF has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to SH (4.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SH dropped -94.66% vs SEF's -96.51%.

Which ETF is better, SH or SEF?

On 10-year performance, SEF leads with -12.23% vs -12.51% for SH. On fees, SH is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, SH has been the lower-risk option at 4.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SH or SEF?

Over the 10-year period, SEF has performed better with a -12.23% return vs -12.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SH or SEF?

SH is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SH or SEF?

SH has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 3.39% for SEF.

What is the main difference between SH and SEF?

SH tracks S&P 500 Index (-100% daily), while SEF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (-100%). Their fees differ too: 0.89% for SH and 0.95% for SEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.27 vs -1.05), 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.