USD vs. PULS

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

USD (ProShares Ultra Semiconductors) and PULS (PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USD is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Semiconductors Index (200%), while PULS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by PGIM. USD is passively managed, while PULS is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, USD returned 62.46%/yr vs 4.20%/yr for PULS. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USD charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PULS.

Performance

USD vs. PULS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Semiconductors (USD) and PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USD achieves a 85.14% return, which is significantly higher than PULS's 2.11% return.

USD

• 1D: 3.09%
• 1M: 1.14%
• 6M: 76.15%
• YTD: 85.14%
• 1Y: 147.75%
• 3Y*: 110.61%
• 5Y*: 62.46%
• 10Y*: 58.67%

PULS

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 1.97%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 5.48%
• 5Y*: 4.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

USD vs. PULS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
USD ProShares Ultra Semiconductors	85.14%	62.08%	139.64%	228.79%	-68.57%	104.27%	68.16%	110.37%	-26.78%
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	2.11%	4.97%	6.12%	6.26%	1.52%	0.48%	1.47%	2.97%	1.71%

Correlation

The correlation between USD and PULS 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	0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2018	0.07

Return for Risk

USD vs. PULS — Risk / Return Rank

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

USD

USD Risk / Return Rank: 78
USD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
USD Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
USD Omega Ratio Rank: 68
USD Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
USD Martin Ratio Rank: 80

PULS

PULS Risk / Return Rank: 99
PULS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
PULS Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

USD vs. PULS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Semiconductors (USD) and PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS). 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.

	USD	PULS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	10.52	-8.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	27.00	-24.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	6.40	-5.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.70	50.41	-45.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	285.71	-273.32

USD vs. PULS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USD Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is lower than the PULS Sharpe Ratio of 10.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USD and PULS, 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

USD vs. PULS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USD drawdown since its inception was -88.63%, which is greater than PULS's maximum drawdown of -5.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USD and PULS.

Drawdown Indicators

	USD	PULS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.63%	-5.85%	-82.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.80%	-0.09%	-31.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-64.46%	-0.34%	-64.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-77.85%	-0.79%	-77.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-77.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.47%	0.00%	-14.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.26%	-0.09%	-32.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.05%	0.02%	+12.03%

Volatility

USD vs. PULS - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Semiconductors (USD) has a higher volatility of 32.27% compared to PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) at 0.15%. This indicates that USD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PULS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USD	PULS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	32.27%	0.15%	+32.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	57.13%	0.32%	+56.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	69.99%	0.43%	+69.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	78.11%	0.70%	+77.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	69.98%	1.32%	+68.66%

USD vs. PULS - Expense Ratio Comparison

USD has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than PULS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

USD vs. PULS - Dividend Comparison

USD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, less than PULS's 4.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.52%	4.78%	5.62%	5.48%	2.30%	1.19%	1.85%	2.69%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USD ProShares Ultra Semiconductors	0.31%	0.39%	0.10%	0.05%	0.30%	0.00%	0.14%	0.72%	0.93%	0.32%	0.46%	0.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USD and PULS in my portfolio?

USD and PULS 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, USD or PULS?

USD has higher volatility (32.27%) compared to PULS (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USD dropped -88.63% vs PULS's -5.85%.

Which ETF is better, USD or PULS?

On 5-year performance, USD leads with 62.46% vs 4.20% for PULS. On fees, PULS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, PULS has been the lower-risk option at 0.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USD or PULS?

Over the 5-year period, USD has performed better with a 62.46% return vs 4.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USD or PULS?

PULS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for USD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USD or PULS?

PULS has the higher dividend yield at 4.52%, compared with 0.31% for USD.

What is the main difference between USD and PULS?

USD is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while PULS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for USD and 0.15% for PULS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PULS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.52 vs 2.14), 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.