UPAL vs. UCO

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

UPAL (ProShares Ultra Palladium K-1 Free ETF) and UCO (ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil) are both exchange-traded funds - UPAL is a Leveraged Commodities fund actively managed by ProShares, while UCO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index (200%). UPAL is actively managed, while UCO is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.32, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

UPAL vs. UCO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Palladium K-1 Free ETF (UPAL) and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

UPAL

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: -6.90%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

UCO

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: 13.13%
• 6M: 102.59%
• YTD: 114.54%
• 1Y: 72.21%
• 3Y*: 14.74%
• 5Y*: 17.88%
• 10Y*: 23.80%
• ALL TIME*: -9.08%

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

UPAL vs. UCO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
UPAL ProShares Ultra Palladium K-1 Free ETF	-41.70%
UCO ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil	5.36%

Correlation

The correlation between UPAL and UCO is -0.32, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2026	-0.32

Return for Risk

UPAL vs. UCO — Risk / Return Rank

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

UPAL

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

UCO

UCO Risk / Return Rank: 44
UCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
UCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
UCO Omega Ratio Rank: 44
UCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
UCO Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

UPAL vs. UCO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Palladium K-1 Free ETF (UPAL) and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO). 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.

	UPAL	UCO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.24	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.80	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.22	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.88	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	3.97	—

Drawdowns

UPAL vs. UCO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UPAL drawdown since its inception was -48.54%, smaller than the maximum UCO drawdown of -99.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UPAL and UCO.

Drawdown Indicators

	UPAL	UCO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.54%	-99.86%	+51.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-38.55%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-50.38%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-67.24%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-96.50%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-41.70%	-83.35%	+41.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.55%	-82.12%	+53.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	18.26%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	UPAL	UCO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	19.28%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	49.83%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	79.47%	58.45%	+21.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	79.47%	60.16%	+19.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	79.47%	317.75%	-238.28%

UPAL vs. UCO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both UPAL and UCO have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

UPAL vs. UCO - Dividend Comparison

UPAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, while UCO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM
UCO ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil	0.00%
UPAL ProShares Ultra Palladium K-1 Free ETF	0.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UPAL and UCO in my portfolio?

UPAL and UCO have a correlation of -0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, UPAL or UCO?

Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, UPAL or UCO?

UPAL and UCO have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UPAL or UCO?

UPAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.26%, compared with 0.00% for UCO.

What is the main difference between UPAL and UCO?

UPAL is categorized as Leveraged Commodities, while UCO is Oil & Gas.