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UVIX vs. ^VIX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

UVIX vs. ^VIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (UVIX) and CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UVIX achieves a -47.76% return, which is significantly lower than ^VIX's 14.78% return.


UVIX

1D
5.76%
1M
-21.08%
6M
-44.45%
YTD
-47.76%
1Y
-84.85%
3Y*
-80.58%
5Y*
10Y*

^VIX

1D
14.17%
1M
-2.94%
6M
13.49%
YTD
14.78%
1Y
4.63%
3Y*
8.76%
5Y*
1.00%
10Y*
3.08%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

UVIX vs. ^VIX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)2025202420232022
UVIX
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
-47.76%-83.21%-75.24%-95.28%-61.86%
^VIX
CBOE Volatility Index
14.78%-13.83%39.36%-42.55%14.66%

Correlation

The correlation between UVIX and ^VIX is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.


Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.88

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.88

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2022

0.88

The correlation between UVIX and ^VIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

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Return for Risk

UVIX vs. ^VIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

UVIX
UVIX Risk / Return Rank: 22
Overall Rank
UVIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
Sharpe Ratio Rank
UVIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
Sortino Ratio Rank
UVIX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
Omega Ratio Rank
UVIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 00
Calmar Ratio Rank
UVIX Martin Ratio Rank: 22
Martin Ratio Rank

^VIX
^VIX Risk / Return Rank: 1515
Overall Rank
^VIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
Sharpe Ratio Rank
^VIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
^VIX Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
^VIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
Calmar Ratio Rank
^VIX Martin Ratio Rank: 88
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

UVIX vs. ^VIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (UVIX) and CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX). 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.


UVIX^VIXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

-0.79

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

-2.63

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.82

1.12

-0.30

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.99

0.09

-1.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-1.38

0.14

-1.52

UVIX vs. ^VIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UVIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.76, which is lower than the ^VIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UVIX and ^VIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.


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Drawdowns

UVIX vs. ^VIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UVIX drawdown since its inception was -99.98%, which is greater than ^VIX's maximum drawdown of -88.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UVIX and ^VIX.


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Drawdown Indicators


UVIX^VIXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-99.98%

-88.70%

-11.28%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-86.11%

-51.59%

-34.52%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-99.40%

-74.26%

-25.14%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-74.26%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-85.66%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-99.98%

-79.25%

-20.73%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-88.72%

-64.09%

-24.63%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

61.63%

32.36%

+29.27%

Volatility

UVIX vs. ^VIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (UVIX) is 27.95%, while CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX) has a volatility of 34.86%. This indicates that UVIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^VIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


UVIX^VIXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

27.95%

34.86%

-6.91%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

87.63%

92.44%

-4.81%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

112.73%

124.55%

-11.82%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

135.47%

127.59%

+7.88%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

135.47%

136.48%

-1.01%

Frequently Asked Questions


UVIX and ^VIX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

^VIX has higher volatility (34.86%) compared to UVIX (27.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UVIX dropped -99.98% vs ^VIX's -88.70%.

^VIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.04 vs -0.76), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for UVIX and ^VIX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

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