UGL vs. SVARX

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

UGL (ProShares Ultra Gold) and SVARX (Spectrum Low Volatility Fund) are both funds - UGL is a Leveraged Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Gold Subindex (200%), while SVARX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by Advisors Preferred. Over the past 10 years, UGL returned 17.75%/yr vs 6.08%/yr for SVARX. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UGL charges 0.95%/yr vs 2.34%/yr for SVARX.

Performance

UGL vs. SVARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) and Spectrum Low Volatility Fund (SVARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UGL achieves a -7.82% return, which is significantly lower than SVARX's 1.61% return. Over the past 10 years, UGL has outperformed SVARX with an annualized return of 17.75%, while SVARX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.08% annualized return.

UGL

• 1D: -7.30%
• 1M: -17.17%
• YTD: -7.82%
• 6M: -3.83%
• 1Y: 46.42%
• 3Y*: 49.47%
• 5Y*: 25.50%
• 10Y*: 17.75%

SVARX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 2.35%
• 1Y: 6.31%
• 3Y*: 6.96%
• 5Y*: 3.28%
• 10Y*: 6.08%

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

UGL vs. SVARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UGL ProShares Ultra Gold	-7.82%	137.57%	46.36%	15.56%	-7.59%	-12.30%	39.04%	31.11%	-8.02%	22.50%
SVARX Spectrum Low Volatility Fund	1.61%	6.22%	2.60%	9.67%	-4.35%	4.10%	19.50%	9.42%	-0.99%	8.25%

Correlation

The correlation between UGL and SVARX is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2013	0.15

The correlation between UGL and SVARX shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

UGL vs. SVARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

UGL

UGL Risk / Return Rank: 24
UGL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
UGL Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
UGL Omega Ratio Rank: 28
UGL Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
UGL Martin Ratio Rank: 21

SVARX

SVARX Risk / Return Rank: 53
SVARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SVARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SVARX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SVARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
SVARX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

UGL vs. SVARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) and Spectrum Low Volatility Fund (SVARX). 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.

	UGL	SVARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	2.30	-1.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	3.08	-1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.49	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.06	2.39	-1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.56	5.64	-3.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UGL vs. SVARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UGL Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is lower than the SVARX Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UGL and SVARX, 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

	UGL	SVARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80	2.30	-1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	1.07	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	1.66	-1.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	1.71	-1.33

Drawdowns

UGL vs. SVARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UGL drawdown since its inception was -75.93%, which is greater than SVARX's maximum drawdown of -6.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UGL and SVARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	UGL	SVARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.93%	-6.48%	-69.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-40.22%	-2.55%	-37.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-40.22%	-2.55%	-37.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.23%	-6.48%	-33.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.23%	-6.48%	-39.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-40.22%	-1.19%	-39.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.63%	-1.22%	-42.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.70%	1.08%	+15.62%

Volatility

UGL vs. SVARX - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) has a higher volatility of 11.42% compared to Spectrum Low Volatility Fund (SVARX) at 0.63%. This indicates that UGL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SVARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UGL	SVARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.42%	0.63%	+10.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.43%	2.16%	+45.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	53.42%	2.66%	+50.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.32%	3.09%	+33.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.42%	3.68%	+28.74%

UGL vs. SVARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

UGL has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than SVARX's 2.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

UGL vs. SVARX - Dividend Comparison

UGL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SVARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.85%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SVARX Spectrum Low Volatility Fund	5.85%	5.95%	9.35%	3.35%	0.00%	5.85%	0.71%	4.91%	2.41%	6.90%	9.07%	3.02%
UGL ProShares Ultra Gold	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UGL and SVARX in my portfolio?

UGL and SVARX have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UGL or SVARX?

UGL has higher volatility (11.42%) compared to SVARX (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UGL dropped -75.93% vs SVARX's -6.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SVARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 0.80), 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.