SSO vs. VIG

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P500) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SSO is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500, while VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SSO returned 23.84%/yr vs 13.19%/yr for VIG. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSO charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VIG.

Performance

SSO vs. VIG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSO achieves a 13.90% return, which is significantly higher than VIG's 7.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SSO has outperformed VIG with an annualized return of 23.84%, while VIG has yielded a comparatively lower 13.19% annualized return.

SSO

• 1D: 3.39%
• 1M: -0.75%
• YTD: 13.90%
• 6M: 11.75%
• 1Y: 43.37%
• 3Y*: 34.28%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 23.84%

VIG

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 5.30%
• 1Y: 18.41%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 10.63%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

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

SSO vs. VIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	13.90%	26.19%	43.48%	46.65%	-38.98%	60.57%	21.54%	63.45%	-14.60%	44.35%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	7.11%	14.17%	16.99%	14.51%	-9.80%	23.76%	15.43%	29.62%	-2.08%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between SSO and VIG 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	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2006	0.93

The correlation between SSO and VIG shifts across timeframes, from 0.83 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SSO vs. VIG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SSO	VIG
Technology	35.6%	26.2%
Financial Services	11.8%	20.6%
Communication Services	11.2%	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	4.7%
Healthcare	8.5%	16.5%
Industrials	8.3%	11.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	10.1%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.4%	3.2%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	3.5%

Return for Risk

SSO vs. VIG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSO

SSO Risk / Return Rank: 62
SSO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SSO Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SSO Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SSO Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SSO Martin Ratio Rank: 68

VIG

VIG Risk / Return Rank: 65
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. VIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). 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	VIG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.82	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	2.64	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.32	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	2.34	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.28	9.39	+0.89

SSO vs. VIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSO Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the VIG Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSO and VIG, 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. VIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSO drawdown since its inception was -84.67%, which is greater than VIG's maximum drawdown of -46.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSO and VIG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSO	VIG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.67%	-46.81%	-37.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.17%	-7.91%	-10.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.21%	-14.95%	-20.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.73%	-20.39%	-26.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.34%	-31.72%	-27.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.92%	-0.86%	-5.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.55%	-5.51%	-14.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.23%	1.96%	+2.27%

Volatility

SSO vs. VIG - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) has a higher volatility of 8.75% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) at 2.90%. This indicates that SSO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSO	VIG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.75%	2.90%	+5.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.19%	7.83%	+11.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.53%	10.18%	+14.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.79%	14.26%	+19.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.95%	16.06%	+19.89%

SSO vs. VIG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSO has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than VIG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSO vs. VIG - Dividend Comparison

SSO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, less than VIG's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.47%	1.62%	1.73%	1.88%	1.96%	1.55%	1.63%	1.71%	2.08%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSO and VIG in my portfolio?

SSO and VIG 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 VIG?

SSO has higher volatility (8.75%) compared to VIG (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSO dropped -84.67% vs VIG's -46.81%.

Which ETF is better, SSO or VIG?

On 10-year performance, SSO leads with 23.84% vs 13.19% for VIG. On fees, VIG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VIG has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SSO or VIG?

Over the 10-year period, SSO has performed better with a 23.84% return vs 13.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SSO or VIG?

VIG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SSO.

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

VIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.65% for SSO.

What is the main difference between SSO and VIG?

SSO is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VIG is Dividend. SSO tracks S&P 500, while VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for SSO and 0.04% for VIG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.78), 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.