UPW vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

UPW (ProShares Ultra Utilities) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UPW is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index (200%), while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, UPW returned 9.86%/yr vs 18.40%/yr for VUG. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UPW charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

UPW vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UPW achieves a 3.01% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 10.86% return. Over the past 10 years, UPW has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 9.86%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.40% annualized return.

UPW

• 1D: 3.33%
• 1M: -12.03%
• YTD: 3.01%
• 6M: -1.90%
• 1Y: 10.99%
• 3Y*: 17.73%
• 5Y*: 9.50%
• 10Y*: 9.86%

VUG

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 7.37%
• YTD: 10.86%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 30.39%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 15.71%
• 10Y*: 18.40%

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

UPW vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UPW ProShares Ultra Utilities	3.01%	23.61%	37.67%	-22.37%	-4.59%	32.57%	-17.15%	48.59%	2.36%	22.53%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	10.86%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between UPW and VUG is 0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2007	0.40

Over the past year, the correlation between UPW and VUG has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.40, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

UPW vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UPW	VUG
Utilities	100.0%	0.9%
Basic Materials	-	0.6%
Communication Services	-	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.5%
Energy	-	0.4%
Financial Services	-	4.3%
Healthcare	-	4.6%
Industrials	-	3.6%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Technology	-	53.5%

Return for Risk

UPW vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

UPW

UPW Risk / Return Rank: 15
UPW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
UPW Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
UPW Omega Ratio Rank: 15
UPW Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
UPW Martin Ratio Rank: 15

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 49
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.38	1.93	-1.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.70	2.60	-1.90
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.34	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.61	1.90	-1.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.33	6.65	-5.32
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. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UPW Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UPW and VUG, 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38	1.93	-1.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.71	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.86	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.62	-0.37

Drawdowns

UPW vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UPW drawdown since its inception was -77.75%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UPW and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	UPW	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.75%	-50.68%	-27.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.15%	-16.53%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.16%	-22.85%	-10.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.42%	-35.61%	-13.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-62.67%	-35.61%	-27.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.46%	-0.28%	-16.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-7.09%	-15.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.73%	4.71%	+4.02%

Volatility

UPW vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW) has a higher volatility of 11.15% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.52%. This indicates that UPW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UPW	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.15%	3.52%	+7.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.82%	12.05%	+11.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.05%	15.80%	+13.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.42%	22.22%	+12.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.18%	21.44%	+15.74%

UPW vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

UPW has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

UPW vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

UPW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UPW ProShares Ultra Utilities	1.55%	1.67%	1.83%	2.40%	1.55%	1.30%	0.83%	0.83%	1.98%	1.51%	1.70%	2.16%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UPW and VUG in my portfolio?

UPW and VUG have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UPW or VUG?

UPW has higher volatility (11.15%) compared to VUG (3.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UPW dropped -77.75% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, UPW or VUG?

On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.40% vs 9.86% for UPW. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 3.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UPW or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 18.40% return vs 9.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UPW or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for UPW.

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

UPW has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between UPW and VUG?

UPW is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. UPW tracks Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index (200%), while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for UPW and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.38), 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.