UPRO vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

UPRO (ProShares UltraPro S&P 500) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040) are both Leveraged Equities funds - UPRO tracks the S&P 500 while GDXU tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UPRO returned 21.40%/yr vs -14.73%/yr for GDXU. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UPRO charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

UPRO vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UPRO achieves a 20.70% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -56.00% return.

UPRO

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -1.71%
• YTD: 20.70%
• 6M: 21.09%
• 1Y: 64.83%
• 3Y*: 46.83%
• 5Y*: 21.40%
• 10Y*: 29.76%

GDXU

• 1D: 8.84%
• 1M: -50.11%
• YTD: -56.00%
• 6M: -55.92%
• 1Y: 30.95%
• 3Y*: 37.87%
• 5Y*: -14.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

UPRO vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500	20.70%	31.88%	63.57%	68.53%	-56.84%	98.64%	7.00%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	-56.00%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-54.93%	4.32%

Correlation

The correlation between UPRO and GDXU is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2020	0.30

UPRO vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UPRO	GDXU
Financial Services	28.8%	-
Technology	17.8%	-
Communication Services	4.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	-
Healthcare	3.8%	-
Industrials	3.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	-
Energy	1.4%	-
Utilities	1.1%	-
Real Estate	0.8%	-
Basic Materials	0.8%	100.0%

Return for Risk

UPRO vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

UPRO

UPRO Risk / Return Rank: 57
UPRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
UPRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
UPRO Omega Ratio Rank: 54
UPRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
UPRO Martin Ratio Rank: 64

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 19
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 29
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
GDXU Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

UPRO vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU). 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.

	UPRO	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	0.22	+1.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	1.27	+0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.18	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	0.37	+2.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.01	0.80	+9.21

UPRO vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UPRO Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UPRO and GDXU, 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

UPRO vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UPRO drawdown since its inception was -76.82%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UPRO and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	UPRO	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.82%	-94.39%	+17.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.78%	-83.97%	+57.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.87%	-83.97%	+35.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.94%	-92.44%	+28.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.60%	-79.58%	+71.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.40%	-69.77%	+55.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.50%	38.59%	-32.09%

Volatility

UPRO vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) is 13.22%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a volatility of 54.28%. This indicates that UPRO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UPRO	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.22%	54.28%	-41.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.74%	123.72%	-94.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.77%	142.00%	-105.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.52%	111.92%	-61.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.83%	110.82%	-56.99%

UPRO vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

UPRO has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is lower than GDXU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

UPRO vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

UPRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500	0.72%	0.84%	0.93%	0.74%	0.52%	0.06%	0.11%	0.41%	0.63%	0.00%	0.12%	0.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UPRO and GDXU in my portfolio?

UPRO and GDXU have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UPRO or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (54.28%) compared to UPRO (13.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UPRO dropped -76.82% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, UPRO or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, UPRO leads with 21.40% vs -14.73% for GDXU. On fees, UPRO is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, UPRO has been the lower-risk option at 13.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UPRO or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, UPRO has performed better with a 21.40% return vs -14.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UPRO or GDXU?

UPRO is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for GDXU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UPRO or GDXU?

UPRO has the higher dividend yield at 0.72%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.

What is the main difference between UPRO and GDXU?

UPRO tracks S&P 500, while GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for UPRO and 0.95% for GDXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UPRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.22), 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.