SPUU vs. DDM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SPUU (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF) and DDM (ProShares Ultra Dow30) are both Leveraged Equities funds - SPUU tracks the S&P 500 Index (200% Daily) while DDM tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPUU returned 24.31%/yr vs 19.44%/yr for DDM. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPUU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for DDM.

Performance

SPUU vs. DDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) and ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPUU achieves a 14.92% return, which is significantly higher than DDM's 9.58% return. Over the past 10 years, SPUU has outperformed DDM with an annualized return of 24.31%, while DDM has yielded a comparatively lower 19.44% annualized return.

SPUU

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 14.42%
• 1Y: 45.91%
• 3Y*: 35.91%
• 5Y*: 19.28%
• 10Y*: 24.31%

DDM

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 4.76%
• YTD: 9.58%
• 6M: 10.70%
• 1Y: 35.32%
• 3Y*: 24.74%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: 19.44%

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

SPUU vs. DDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF	14.92%	26.55%	44.25%	47.28%	-38.72%	61.27%	21.85%	66.84%	-14.59%	44.33%
DDM ProShares Ultra Dow30	9.58%	20.59%	21.60%	24.34%	-19.48%	41.97%	2.14%	47.98%	-13.46%	59.56%

Correlation

The correlation between SPUU and DDM is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2014	0.88

The correlation between SPUU and DDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPUU vs. DDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPUU	DDM
Technology	16.4%	17.1%
Financial Services	4.7%	27.2%
Communication Services	4.5%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	4.2%	11.6%
Healthcare	3.6%	13.1%
Industrials	3.2%	18.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	4.4%
Energy	1.4%	2.4%
Utilities	1.1%	-
Real Estate	0.8%	-
Basic Materials	0.7%	4.0%

Return for Risk

SPUU vs. DDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPUU

SPUU Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPUU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPUU Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPUU Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPUU Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SPUU Martin Ratio Rank: 66

DDM

DDM Risk / Return Rank: 44
DDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
DDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
DDM Omega Ratio Rank: 43
DDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
DDM Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

SPUU vs. DDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) and ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM). 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.

	SPUU	DDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.45	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	2.09	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.25	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	1.84	+0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.10	6.74	+4.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPUU vs. DDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPUU Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is higher than the DDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPUU and DDM, 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

	SPUU	DDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	1.45	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.42	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.56	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.39	+0.23

Drawdowns

SPUU vs. DDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPUU drawdown since its inception was -59.35%, smaller than the maximum DDM drawdown of -81.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPUU and DDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPUU	DDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.35%	-81.70%	+22.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.19%	-19.31%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.18%	-31.62%	-3.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.59%	-40.18%	-6.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.35%	-63.13%	+3.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.31%	-3.00%	-2.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.50%	-17.32%	+7.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.15%	5.25%	-1.10%

Volatility

SPUU vs. DDM - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) has a higher volatility of 7.64% compared to ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM) at 6.82%. This indicates that SPUU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPUU	DDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.64%	6.82%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.95%	19.03%	-0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.47%	24.57%	-0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.54%	29.58%	+3.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.82%	34.79%	+1.03%

SPUU vs. DDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPUU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than DDM's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPUU vs. DDM - Dividend Comparison

SPUU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, more than DDM's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DDM ProShares Ultra Dow30	0.91%	0.94%	1.00%	0.27%	0.83%	0.18%	0.31%	0.62%	0.89%	0.68%	1.08%	1.23%
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF	1.40%	1.63%	0.55%	0.83%	0.88%	3.04%	8.03%	1.80%	5.50%	6.96%	8.08%	4.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPUU and DDM in my portfolio?

SPUU and DDM have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPUU or DDM?

SPUU has higher volatility (7.64%) compared to DDM (6.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPUU dropped -59.35% vs DDM's -81.70%.

Which ETF is better, SPUU or DDM?

On 10-year performance, SPUU leads with 24.31% vs 19.44% for DDM. On fees, SPUU is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, DDM has been the lower-risk option at 6.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPUU or DDM?

Over the 10-year period, SPUU has performed better with a 24.31% return vs 19.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPUU or DDM?

SPUU is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for DDM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPUU or DDM?

SPUU has the higher dividend yield at 1.40%, compared with 0.91% for DDM.

What is the main difference between SPUU and DDM?

SPUU tracks S&P 500 Index (200% Daily), while DDM tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (200%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SPUU and 0.95% for DDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPUU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.45), 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.