SMG vs. SSG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SMG (The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company) is a stock, while SSG (Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Semiconductors Index (-200%). Over the past 10 years, SMG returned 2.73%/yr vs -62.09%/yr for SSG. At a correlation of -0.38, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

SMG vs. SSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) and Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors (SSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMG achieves a 11.08% return, which is significantly higher than SSG's -58.97% return. Over the past 10 years, SMG has outperformed SSG with an annualized return of 2.73%, while SSG has yielded a comparatively lower -62.09% annualized return.

SMG

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: 7.32%
• YTD: 11.08%
• 6M: 11.01%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 8.00%
• 5Y*: -16.76%
• 10Y*: 2.73%

SSG

• 1D: 12.02%
• 1M: -11.92%
• YTD: -58.97%
• 6M: -57.87%
• 1Y: -78.94%
• 3Y*: -74.04%
• 5Y*: -66.24%
• 10Y*: -62.09%

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

SMG vs. SSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMG The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company	11.08%	-8.01%	8.28%	36.92%	-68.81%	-18.03%	96.18%	77.05%	-41.00%	14.46%
SSG Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors	-58.97%	-70.03%	-77.59%	-78.69%	37.90%	-67.46%	-76.50%	-63.33%	-0.79%	-51.60%

Correlation

The correlation between SMG and SSG is -0.11, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.33
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	-0.38

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between SMG and SSG has weakened: their correlation has moved from -0.38 to -0.11, meaning they move in opposite directions less often than they have historically.

Return for Risk

SMG vs. SSG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMG

SMG Risk / Return Rank: 45
SMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
SMG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SMG Martin Ratio Rank: 46

SSG

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

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.

SMG vs. SSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) and Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors (SSG). 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.

	SMG	SSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.13	-1.15	+1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.42	-2.60	+3.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	0.72	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.19	-0.99	+1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.34	-1.64	+1.97

SMG vs. SSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMG Sharpe Ratio is 0.13, which is higher than the SSG Sharpe Ratio of -1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMG and SSG, 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

SMG vs. SSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMG drawdown since its inception was -83.55%, smaller than the maximum SSG drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMG and SSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMG	SSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.55%	-100.00%	+16.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.85%	-79.92%	+56.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-47.42%	-98.56%	+51.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.41%	-99.66%	+21.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-83.55%	-99.99%	+16.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-69.55%	-100.00%	+30.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.04%	-88.60%	+66.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.31%	51.14%	-37.83%

Volatility

SMG vs. SSG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) is 10.03%, while Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors (SSG) has a volatility of 33.37%. This indicates that SMG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMG	SSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.03%	33.37%	-23.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.49%	54.63%	-28.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.25%	68.68%	-34.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.34%	78.55%	-32.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.43%	69.63%	-29.20%

Dividends

SMG vs. SSG - Dividend Comparison

SMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.16%, less than SSG's 12.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMG The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company	4.16%	4.52%	3.98%	4.14%	5.43%	1.59%	3.72%	2.13%	3.51%	1.93%	2.03%	2.85%
SSG Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors	12.72%	9.19%	7.67%	6.73%	0.75%	0.00%	0.34%	1.81%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMG and SSG in my portfolio?

SMG and SSG have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMG or SSG?

SSG has higher volatility (33.37%) compared to SMG (10.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMG dropped -83.55% vs SSG's -100.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.13 vs -1.15), 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.