SLM vs. USD
SLM (SLM Corporation) is a stock, while USD (ProShares Ultra Semiconductors) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Semiconductors Index (200%). Over the past 10 years, SLM returned 15.20%/yr vs 56.23%/yr for USD. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
SLM vs. USD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SLM achieves a -4.19% return, which is significantly lower than USD's 63.25% return. Over the past 10 years, SLM has underperformed USD with an annualized return of 15.20%, while USD has yielded a comparatively higher 56.23% annualized return.
SLM
- 1D
- 1.03%
- 1M
- 14.03%
- 6M
- -3.94%
- YTD
- -4.19%
- 1Y
- -20.02%
- 3Y*
- 18.32%
- 5Y*
- 7.52%
- 10Y*
- 15.20%
USD
- 1D
- -7.37%
- 1M
- -12.52%
- 6M
- 51.62%
- YTD
- 63.25%
- 1Y
- 108.17%
- 3Y*
- 94.08%
- 5Y*
- 61.69%
- 10Y*
- 56.23%
SLM vs. USD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SLM SLM Corporation | -4.19% | -0.20% | 47.25% | 18.70% | -13.47% | 60.54% | 40.89% | 8.60% | -26.46% | 2.54% |
USD ProShares Ultra Semiconductors | 63.25% | 62.08% | 139.64% | 228.79% | -68.57% | 104.27% | 68.16% | 110.37% | -26.88% | 81.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between SLM and USD is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2007 | 0.39 |
Over the past year, the correlation between SLM and USD has dropped to 0.12 - well below their long-term average of 0.39, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
SLM vs. USD — Risk / Return Rank
SLM
USD
SLM vs. USD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SLM Corporation (SLM) and ProShares Ultra Semiconductors (USD). 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.
| SLM | USD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.93 | 1.26 | -0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.47 | 3.42 | -3.89 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.84 | 8.81 | -9.65 |
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Drawdowns
SLM vs. USD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SLM drawdown since its inception was -94.50%, which is greater than USD's maximum drawdown of -88.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLM and USD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SLM | USD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -94.50% | -88.63% | -5.87% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -42.97% | -31.80% | -11.17% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -45.06% | -64.46% | +19.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.06% | -77.85% | +32.79% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.79% | -77.85% | +26.06% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -23.99% | -24.58% | +0.59% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -29.89% | -32.25% | +2.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 23.77% | 12.32% | +11.45% |
Volatility
SLM vs. USD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SLM Corporation (SLM) is 9.50%, while ProShares Ultra Semiconductors (USD) has a volatility of 30.75%. This indicates that SLM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SLM | USD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.50% | 30.75% | -21.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 30.40% | 58.47% | -28.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 39.00% | 71.05% | -32.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 35.93% | 78.28% | -42.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 36.76% | 70.10% | -33.34% |
Dividends
SLM vs. USD - Dividend Comparison
SLM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.03%, more than USD's 0.35% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SLM SLM Corporation | 2.03% | 1.92% | 1.67% | 2.30% | 2.65% | 1.02% | 0.97% | 1.35% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
USD ProShares Ultra Semiconductors | 0.35% | 0.39% | 0.10% | 0.05% | 0.30% | 0.00% | 0.14% | 0.72% | 0.93% | 0.32% | 0.46% | 0.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SLM and USD have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
USD has higher volatility (30.75%) compared to SLM (9.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLM dropped -94.50% vs USD's -88.63%.
USD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs -0.52), 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.
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