SSO vs. DIA

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P500) and DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SSO is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500, while DIA is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SSO returned 24.02%/yr vs 13.40%/yr for DIA. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSO charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for DIA.

Performance

SSO vs. DIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSO achieves a 15.08% return, which is significantly higher than DIA's 7.27% return. Over the past 10 years, SSO has outperformed DIA with an annualized return of 24.02%, while DIA has yielded a comparatively lower 13.40% annualized return.

SSO

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: -2.33%
• YTD: 15.08%
• 6M: 15.47%
• 1Y: 47.12%
• 3Y*: 34.18%
• 5Y*: 18.57%
• 10Y*: 24.02%

DIA

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 2.50%
• YTD: 7.27%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 23.20%
• 3Y*: 16.29%
• 5Y*: 10.14%
• 10Y*: 13.40%

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

SSO vs. DIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	15.08%	26.19%	43.48%	46.65%	-38.98%	60.57%	21.54%	63.45%	-14.60%	44.35%
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	7.27%	14.71%	14.82%	16.02%	-7.02%	20.83%	9.59%	24.70%	-3.74%	28.08%

Correlation

The correlation between SSO and DIA is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2006	0.93

The correlation between SSO and DIA shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (3 years) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SSO vs. DIA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SSO	DIA
Technology	25.7%	19.1%
Financial Services	24.1%	27.3%
Communication Services	7.0%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	11.0%
Healthcare	5.9%	12.8%
Industrials	5.3%	18.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	4.1%
Energy	2.3%	2.2%
Utilities	1.7%	-
Real Estate	1.3%	-
Basic Materials	1.2%	3.7%

Return for Risk

SSO vs. DIA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSO

SSO Risk / Return Rank: 59
SSO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SSO Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SSO Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SSO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SSO Martin Ratio Rank: 66

DIA

DIA Risk / Return Rank: 55
DIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
DIA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
DIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
DIA Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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. DIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). 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	DIA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.69	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.46	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.16	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.37	8.35	+2.02

SSO vs. DIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSO Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the DIA Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSO and DIA, 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

SSO vs. DIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSO drawdown since its inception was -84.67%, which is greater than DIA's maximum drawdown of -51.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSO and DIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSO	DIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.67%	-51.87%	-32.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.17%	-9.76%	-8.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.21%	-15.95%	-19.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.73%	-20.76%	-25.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.34%	-36.70%	-22.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.94%	-0.70%	-4.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.55%	-7.14%	-12.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.24%	2.53%	+1.71%

Volatility

SSO vs. DIA - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) has a higher volatility of 8.74% compared to State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) at 4.32%. This indicates that SSO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSO	DIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.74%	4.32%	+4.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.17%	9.78%	+9.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.54%	12.52%	+12.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.78%	14.85%	+18.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.95%	17.56%	+18.39%

SSO vs. DIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSO has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than DIA's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSO vs. DIA - Dividend Comparison

SSO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.64%, less than DIA's 1.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	1.37%	1.43%	1.61%	1.81%	1.91%	1.58%	1.87%	1.85%	2.24%	1.97%	2.26%	2.33%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	0.64%	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 DIA in my portfolio?

SSO and DIA have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSO or DIA?

SSO has higher volatility (8.74%) compared to DIA (4.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSO dropped -84.67% vs DIA's -51.87%.

Which ETF is better, SSO or DIA?

On 10-year performance, SSO leads with 24.02% vs 13.40% for DIA. On fees, DIA is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, DIA has been the lower-risk option at 4.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SSO or DIA?

Over the 10-year period, SSO has performed better with a 24.02% return vs 13.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SSO or DIA?

DIA is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SSO.

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

DIA has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 0.64% for SSO.

What is the main difference between SSO and DIA?

SSO is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while DIA is Large Cap Blend Equities. SSO tracks S&P 500, while DIA tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for SSO and 0.16% for DIA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.69), 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.