SPXU vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SPXU (ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPXU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index (-300%), while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPXU returned -42.07%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. At a correlation of -1.00, they often move in opposite directions. SPXU charges 0.93%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SPXU vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXU achieves a -27.12% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, SPXU has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of -42.07%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

SPXU

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: -14.02%
• YTD: -27.12%
• 6M: -27.28%
• 1Y: -50.84%
• 3Y*: -43.41%
• 5Y*: -35.52%
• 10Y*: -42.07%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

SPXU vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	-27.12%	-41.73%	-43.31%	-46.02%	36.05%	-57.94%	-70.39%	-56.27%	3.97%	-44.23%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXU and SPY is -1.00, 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	-1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2009	-1.00

The correlation between SPXU and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -1.00 to -1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPXU vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXU	SPY
Financial Services	70.6%	11.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

SPXU vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXU

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

SPXU vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	SPXU	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.44	2.52	-3.97
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-2.47	3.42	-5.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.74	1.46	-0.72
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-1.02	3.42	-4.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.73	15.93	-17.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPXU vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXU Sharpe Ratio is -1.44, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXU and SPY, 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

	SPXU	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.44	2.52	-3.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.71	0.84	-1.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.79	0.87	-1.66
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.84	0.59	-1.43

Drawdowns

SPXU vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXU drawdown since its inception was -99.99%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXU and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXU	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.99%	-55.19%	-44.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-50.82%	-8.88%	-41.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-84.36%	-18.76%	-65.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-90.23%	-24.50%	-65.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.63%	-33.72%	-65.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.99%	0.00%	-99.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-93.33%	-9.05%	-84.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.93%	1.91%	+28.02%

Volatility

SPXU vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) has a higher volatility of 8.31% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that SPXU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPXU	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.31%	2.75%	+5.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.80%	8.89%	+17.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.32%	11.81%	+23.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.32%	17.05%	+33.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.38%	17.94%	+35.44%

SPXU vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXU has a 0.93% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPXU vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SPXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.05%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	8.05%	7.02%	9.53%	7.06%	0.39%	0.00%	0.70%	2.14%	1.41%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXU and SPY in my portfolio?

SPXU and SPY have a correlation of -1.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPXU or SPY?

SPXU has higher volatility (8.31%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXU dropped -99.99% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SPXU or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs -42.07% for SPXU. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXU or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs -42.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXU or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.93% for SPXU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPXU or SPY?

SPXU has the higher dividend yield at 8.05%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPXU and SPY?

SPXU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. SPXU tracks S&P 500 Index (-300%), while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.93% for SPXU and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -1.44), 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.