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 17.66%/yr vs 62.72%/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 -7.89% return, which is significantly lower than USD's 92.18% return. Over the past 10 years, SLM has underperformed USD with an annualized return of 17.66%, while USD has yielded a comparatively higher 62.72% annualized return.
SLM
- 1D
- 3.23%
- 1M
- 12.13%
- YTD
- -7.89%
- 6M
- -9.89%
- 1Y
- -22.22%
- 3Y*
- 18.00%
- 5Y*
- 6.07%
- 10Y*
- 17.66%
USD
- 1D
- 4.73%
- 1M
- -0.57%
- YTD
- 92.18%
- 6M
- 86.88%
- 1Y
- 185.02%
- 3Y*
- 118.50%
- 5Y*
- 64.73%
- 10Y*
- 62.72%
SLM vs. USD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SLM SLM Corporation | -7.89% | -0.20% | 47.25% | 18.70% | -13.47% | 60.54% | 40.89% | 8.60% | -26.46% | 2.54% |
USD ProShares Ultra Semiconductors | 92.18% | 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 0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.09 |
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 0.09 - 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 | -3.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.32 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.92 | 1.38 | -0.46 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.49 | 5.86 | -6.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.87 | 16.16 | -17.03 |
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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 | -45.06% | -31.80% | -13.26% |
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 | -26.92% | -11.21% | -15.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -29.89% | -32.29% | +2.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 25.54% | 11.50% | +14.04% |
Volatility
SLM vs. USD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SLM Corporation (SLM) is 11.92%, while ProShares Ultra Semiconductors (USD) has a volatility of 33.79%. 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 | 11.92% | 33.79% | -21.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 29.65% | 53.90% | -24.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 38.53% | 67.84% | -29.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 35.93% | 77.74% | -41.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 36.85% | 69.82% | -32.97% |
Dividends
SLM vs. USD - Dividend Comparison
SLM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%, more than USD's 0.30% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SLM SLM Corporation | 2.11% | 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 | 0.30% | 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 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
USD has higher volatility (33.79%) compared to SLM (11.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLM dropped -94.50% vs USD's -88.63%.
USD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs -0.58), 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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