SPUU vs. UYG

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

SPUU (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF) and UYG (ProShares Ultra Financials) are both Leveraged Equities funds - SPUU tracks the S&P 500 Index (200% Daily) while UYG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPUU returned 25.04%/yr vs 17.78%/yr for UYG. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPUU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for UYG.

Performance

SPUU vs. UYG - 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 Financials (UYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPUU achieves a 19.44% return, which is significantly higher than UYG's -7.22% return. Over the past 10 years, SPUU has outperformed UYG with an annualized return of 25.04%, while UYG has yielded a comparatively lower 17.78% annualized return.

SPUU

• 1D: 3.36%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 19.44%
• 6M: 19.99%
• 1Y: 52.90%
• 3Y*: 35.39%
• 5Y*: 20.14%
• 10Y*: 25.04%

UYG

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 8.96%
• YTD: -7.22%
• 6M: -7.53%
• 1Y: 9.46%
• 3Y*: 28.71%
• 5Y*: 11.18%
• 10Y*: 17.78%

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

SPUU vs. UYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF	19.44%	26.55%	44.25%	47.28%	-38.72%	61.27%	21.85%	66.84%	-14.59%	44.33%
UYG ProShares Ultra Financials	-7.22%	19.77%	55.71%	22.14%	-32.11%	76.26%	-20.32%	66.15%	-22.61%	39.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SPUU and UYG is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2014	0.78

The correlation between SPUU and UYG shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPUU vs. UYG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPUU	UYG
Technology	39.0%	1.8%
Financial Services	11.1%	98.0%
Communication Services	10.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	-
Healthcare	8.3%	-
Industrials	7.8%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	-
Energy	3.1%	-
Utilities	2.1%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

SPUU vs. UYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPUU

SPUU Risk / Return Rank: 69
SPUU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SPUU Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SPUU Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SPUU Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPUU Martin Ratio Rank: 74

UYG

UYG Risk / Return Rank: 14
UYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
UYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
UYG Omega Ratio Rank: 14
UYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
UYG Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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. UYG - 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 Financials (UYG). 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.

	SPUU	UYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	0.33	+1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	0.63	+2.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.08	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	0.33	+2.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.56	0.78	+11.78

SPUU vs. UYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPUU Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the UYG Sharpe Ratio of 0.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPUU and UYG, 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

SPUU vs. UYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPUU drawdown since its inception was -59.35%, smaller than the maximum UYG drawdown of -97.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPUU and UYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPUU	UYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.35%	-97.90%	+38.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.19%	-28.91%	+10.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.18%	-30.35%	-4.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.59%	-47.77%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.35%	-69.98%	+10.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	-12.37%	+10.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.49%	-63.28%	+53.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.22%	12.17%	-7.95%

Volatility

SPUU vs. UYG - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) has a higher volatility of 9.23% compared to ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) at 8.33%. This indicates that SPUU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPUU	UYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.23%	8.33%	+0.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.71%	22.24%	-2.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.95%	29.13%	-4.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.64%	36.23%	-2.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.84%	41.07%	-5.23%

SPUU vs. UYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SPUU vs. UYG - Dividend Comparison

SPUU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%, less than UYG's 12.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF	1.34%	1.63%	0.55%	0.83%	0.88%	3.04%	8.03%	1.80%	5.50%	6.96%	8.08%	4.42%
UYG ProShares Ultra Financials	12.59%	11.72%	0.51%	0.79%	0.77%	9.39%	0.66%	0.90%	1.28%	0.56%	0.76%	0.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPUU and UYG in my portfolio?

SPUU and UYG have a correlation of 0.60, 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 UYG?

SPUU has higher volatility (9.23%) compared to UYG (8.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPUU dropped -59.35% vs UYG's -97.90%.

Which ETF is better, SPUU or UYG?

On 10-year performance, SPUU leads with 25.04% vs 17.78% for UYG. On fees, SPUU is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, UYG has been the lower-risk option at 8.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPUU or UYG?

Over the 10-year period, SPUU has performed better with a 25.04% return vs 17.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPUU or UYG?

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

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

UYG has the higher dividend yield at 12.59%, compared with 1.34% for SPUU.

What is the main difference between SPUU and UYG?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPUU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 0.33), 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.