SMDD vs. NRGU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SMDD (ProShares UltraPro Short MidCap400) and NRGU (MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds - SMDD tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index (-300%) while NRGU tracks the Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SMDD returned -49.82% vs 171.19% for NRGU. At a correlation of -0.23, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

SMDD vs. NRGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short MidCap400 (SMDD) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMDD achieves a -34.17% return, which is significantly lower than NRGU's 125.94% return.

SMDD

• 1D: -1.03%
• 1M: -8.01%
• YTD: -34.17%
• 6M: -33.48%
• 1Y: -49.82%
• 3Y*: -39.03%
• 5Y*: -29.74%
• 10Y*: -40.10%

NRGU

• 1D: -1.47%
• 1M: -6.46%
• YTD: 125.94%
• 6M: 93.16%
• 1Y: 171.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMDD vs. NRGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SMDD ProShares UltraPro Short MidCap400	-34.17%	-23.80%
NRGU MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN	125.94%	-33.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SMDD and NRGU is -0.07, 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	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2025	-0.23

The correlation between SMDD and NRGU shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (all time) to -0.07 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SMDD vs. NRGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMDD

SMDD Risk / Return Rank: 1
SMDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SMDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SMDD Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SMDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
SMDD Martin Ratio Rank: 1

NRGU

NRGU Risk / Return Rank: 64
NRGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
NRGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
NRGU Omega Ratio Rank: 53
NRGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
NRGU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

SMDD vs. NRGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short MidCap400 (SMDD) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU). 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.

	SMDD	NRGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.07	2.31	-3.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.64	2.55	-4.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.81	1.32	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.98	4.31	-5.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.67	10.74	-12.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMDD vs. NRGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMDD Sharpe Ratio is -1.07, which is lower than the NRGU Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMDD and NRGU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMDD	NRGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.07	2.31	-3.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.51	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.63	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.71	0.43	-1.14

Drawdowns

SMDD vs. NRGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMDD drawdown since its inception was -99.99%, which is greater than NRGU's maximum drawdown of -57.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMDD and NRGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMDD	NRGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.99%	-57.50%	-42.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-50.84%	-39.95%	-10.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-81.25%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-87.31%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.50%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.99%	-22.07%	-77.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-92.96%	-25.41%	-67.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.85%	16.01%	+13.84%

Volatility

SMDD vs. NRGU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraPro Short MidCap400 (SMDD) is 12.68%, while MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU) has a volatility of 31.62%. This indicates that SMDD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NRGU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMDD	NRGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.68%	31.62%	-18.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.29%	61.19%	-26.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.57%	75.02%	-28.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	58.82%	89.03%	-30.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.33%	89.03%	-25.70%

SMDD vs. NRGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SMDD and NRGU have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

SMDD vs. NRGU - Dividend Comparison

SMDD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.08%, while NRGU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
NRGU MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMDD ProShares UltraPro Short MidCap400	7.08%	4.96%	4.09%	3.86%	0.14%	0.00%	0.13%	1.51%	0.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMDD and NRGU in my portfolio?

SMDD and NRGU have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMDD or NRGU?

NRGU has higher volatility (31.62%) compared to SMDD (12.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMDD dropped -99.99% vs NRGU's -57.50%.

Which ETF is better, SMDD or NRGU?

On 1-year performance, NRGU leads with 171.19% vs -49.82% for SMDD. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, SMDD has been the lower-risk option at 12.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMDD or NRGU?

Over the 1-year period, NRGU has performed better with a 171.19% return vs -49.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMDD or NRGU?

SMDD and NRGU have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMDD or NRGU?

SMDD has the higher dividend yield at 7.08%, compared with 0.00% for NRGU.

What is the main difference between SMDD and NRGU?

SMDD tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index (-300%), while NRGU tracks Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and BMO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NRGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 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.