SSO vs. DEF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P500) and DEF (Invesco Defensive Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SSO is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500, while DEF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Invesco Defensive Equity Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SSO charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for DEF.

Performance

SSO vs. DEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) and Invesco Defensive Equity ETF (DEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

SSO

• 1D: -2.86%
• 1M: -3.30%
• YTD: 12.95%
• 6M: 10.86%
• 1Y: 42.28%
• 3Y*: 33.83%
• 5Y*: 17.91%
• 10Y*: 24.26%

DEF

• 1D: -3.03%
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SSO vs. DEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	-0.88%
DEF Invesco Defensive Equity ETF	-11.11%

Correlation

The correlation between SSO and DEF is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2026	0.26

SSO vs. DEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SSO	DEF
Financial Services	25.1%	16.1%
Technology	24.9%	12.1%
Communication Services	6.6%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	6.2%	10.1%
Healthcare	5.7%	16.8%
Industrials	5.2%	15.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	12.9%
Energy	2.2%	1.0%
Utilities	1.7%	4.8%
Real Estate	1.2%	3.8%
Basic Materials	1.2%	2.1%

Return for Risk

SSO vs. DEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSO

SSO Risk / Return Rank: 50
SSO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SSO Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
SSO Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SSO Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SSO Martin Ratio Rank: 58

DEF

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

SSO vs. DEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) and Invesco Defensive Equity ETF (DEF). 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.

	SSO	DEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.90	—	—

Drawdowns

SSO vs. DEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSO drawdown since its inception was -84.67%, which is greater than DEF's maximum drawdown of -11.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSO and DEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSO	DEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.67%	-11.11%	-73.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.17%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.21%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.73%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.70%	-11.11%	+4.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.53%	-9.26%	-10.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.28%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SSO	DEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.70%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.65%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.92%	66.96%	-42.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.85%	66.96%	-33.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.93%	66.96%	-31.03%

SSO vs. DEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSO has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than DEF's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSO vs. DEF - Dividend Comparison

SSO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, while DEF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEF Invesco Defensive Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	0.65%	0.68%	0.85%	0.18%	0.50%	0.18%	0.20%	0.50%	0.75%	0.39%	0.51%	0.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSO and DEF in my portfolio?

SSO and DEF have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SSO or DEF?

On fees, DEF is cheaper at 0.53% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SSO or DEF?

DEF is cheaper with a 0.53% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SSO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SSO or DEF?

SSO has the higher dividend yield at 0.65%, compared with 0.00% for DEF.

What is the main difference between SSO and DEF?

SSO is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while DEF is Large Cap Growth Equities. SSO tracks S&P 500, while DEF tracks Invesco Defensive Equity Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for SSO and 0.53% for DEF.