UPW vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UPW (ProShares Ultra Utilities) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UPW is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index (200%), while VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, UPW returned 9.80%/yr vs 9.02%/yr for VPU. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UPW charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VPU.

Performance

UPW vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UPW achieves a 2.44% return, which is significantly lower than VPU's 3.18% return. Over the past 10 years, UPW has outperformed VPU with an annualized return of 9.80%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.02% annualized return.

UPW

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: -11.72%
• YTD: 2.44%
• 6M: -1.65%
• 1Y: 9.80%
• 3Y*: 17.51%
• 5Y*: 9.49%
• 10Y*: 9.80%

VPU

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -5.40%
• YTD: 3.18%
• 6M: 1.27%
• 1Y: 9.60%
• 3Y*: 13.61%
• 5Y*: 9.11%
• 10Y*: 9.02%

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

UPW vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UPW ProShares Ultra Utilities	2.44%	23.61%	37.67%	-22.37%	-4.59%	32.57%	-17.15%	48.59%	2.36%	22.53%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	3.18%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between UPW and VPU is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2007	0.94

The correlation between UPW and VPU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

UPW vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UPW	VPU
Utilities	100.0%	99.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.5%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

UPW vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

UPW

UPW Risk / Return Rank: 14
UPW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
UPW Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
UPW Omega Ratio Rank: 14
UPW Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
UPW Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 20
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

UPW vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). 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.

	UPW	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.34	0.67	-0.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.65	1.00	-0.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.12	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	1.08	-0.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.12	2.43	-1.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UPW vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UPW Sharpe Ratio is 0.34, which is lower than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UPW and VPU, 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

	UPW	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34	0.67	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.54	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.47	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.53	-0.28

Drawdowns

UPW vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UPW drawdown since its inception was -77.75%, which is greater than VPU's maximum drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UPW and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	UPW	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.75%	-46.31%	-31.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.15%	-8.90%	-10.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.16%	-17.34%	-15.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.42%	-25.15%	-24.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-62.67%	-36.42%	-26.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.92%	-7.26%	-9.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-7.78%	-14.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.80%	3.96%	+4.84%

Volatility

UPW vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW) has a higher volatility of 11.15% compared to Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) at 5.35%. This indicates that UPW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UPW	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.15%	5.35%	+5.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.31%	11.36%	+11.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.05%	14.30%	+14.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.41%	17.05%	+17.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.17%	19.12%	+18.05%

UPW vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

UPW has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

UPW vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

UPW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.56%, less than VPU's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UPW ProShares Ultra Utilities	1.56%	1.67%	1.83%	2.40%	1.55%	1.30%	0.83%	0.83%	1.98%	1.51%	1.70%	2.16%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.69%	2.73%	3.02%	3.49%	2.98%	2.70%	3.17%	2.83%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UPW and VPU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, UPW and VPU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, UPW or VPU?

UPW has higher volatility (11.15%) compared to VPU (5.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UPW dropped -77.75% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, UPW or VPU?

On 10-year performance, UPW leads with 9.80% vs 9.02% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VPU has been the lower-risk option at 5.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UPW or VPU?

Over the 10-year period, UPW has performed better with a 9.80% return vs 9.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UPW or VPU?

VPU is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for UPW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UPW or VPU?

VPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 1.56% for UPW.

What is the main difference between UPW and VPU?

UPW is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VPU is Utilities Equities. UPW tracks Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index (200%), while VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for UPW and 0.10% for VPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.67 vs 0.34), 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.