UYG vs. SPUU

Last updated Jun 28, 2026

UYG (ProShares Ultra Financials) and SPUU (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds - UYG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (200%) while SPUU tracks the S&P 500 Index (200% Daily). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, UYG returned 18.50%/yr vs 24.78%/yr for SPUU. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. UYG charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for SPUU.

Performance

UYG vs. SPUU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UYG achieves a -6.60% return, which is significantly lower than SPUU's 12.38% return. Over the past 10 years, UYG has underperformed SPUU with an annualized return of 18.50%, while SPUU has yielded a comparatively higher 24.78% annualized return.

UYG

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 9.36%
• YTD: -6.60%
• 6M: -9.22%
• 1Y: 1.43%
• 3Y*: 30.40%
• 5Y*: 11.29%
• 10Y*: 18.50%

SPUU

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: -6.38%
• YTD: 12.38%
• 6M: 9.46%
• 1Y: 35.28%
• 3Y*: 33.40%
• 5Y*: 18.07%
• 10Y*: 24.78%

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

UYG vs. SPUU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UYG ProShares Ultra Financials	-6.60%	19.77%	55.71%	22.14%	-32.11%	76.26%	-20.32%	66.15%	-22.61%	39.28%
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF	12.38%	26.55%	44.25%	47.28%	-38.72%	61.27%	21.85%	66.84%	-14.59%	44.33%

Correlation

The correlation between UYG and SPUU is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2014	0.78

Over the past year, the correlation between UYG and SPUU has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.78, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

UYG vs. SPUU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UYG	SPUU
Financial Services	98.0%	11.1%
Technology	1.8%	39.0%
Industrials	0.2%	7.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

UYG vs. SPUU — Risk / Return Rank

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

UYG

UYG Risk / Return Rank: 10
UYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
UYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
UYG Omega Ratio Rank: 10
UYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
UYG Martin Ratio Rank: 10

SPUU

SPUU Risk / Return Rank: 46
SPUU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
SPUU Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SPUU Omega Ratio Rank: 44
SPUU Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
SPUU Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

UYG vs. SPUU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU). 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.

	UYG	SPUU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	1.47	-1.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.28	1.98	-1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.26	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.06	2.02	-1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.15	8.46	-8.31

UYG vs. SPUU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UYG Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is lower than the SPUU Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UYG and SPUU, 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

UYG vs. SPUU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UYG drawdown since its inception was -97.90%, which is greater than SPUU's maximum drawdown of -59.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UYG and SPUU.

Drawdown Indicators

	UYG	SPUU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.90%	-59.35%	-38.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.91%	-18.19%	-10.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.35%	-35.18%	+4.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.77%	-46.59%	-1.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.98%	-59.35%	-10.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.79%	-7.40%	-4.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-63.19%	-9.48%	-53.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.34%	4.33%	+8.01%

Volatility

UYG vs. SPUU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) is 7.98%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) has a volatility of 9.52%. This indicates that UYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPUU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UYG	SPUU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.98%	9.52%	-1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.38%	19.81%	+2.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.93%	25.07%	+3.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.12%	33.65%	+2.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.90%	35.77%	+5.13%

UYG vs. SPUU - Expense Ratio Comparison

UYG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPUU's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

UYG vs. SPUU - Dividend Comparison

UYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.50%, more than SPUU's 1.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF	1.40%	1.63%	0.55%	0.83%	0.88%	3.04%	8.03%	1.80%	5.50%	6.96%	8.08%	4.42%
UYG ProShares Ultra Financials	12.50%	11.72%	0.51%	0.79%	0.77%	9.39%	0.66%	0.90%	1.28%	0.56%	0.76%	0.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UYG and SPUU in my portfolio?

UYG and SPUU have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UYG or SPUU?

SPUU has higher volatility (9.52%) compared to UYG (7.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UYG dropped -97.90% vs SPUU's -59.35%.

Which ETF is better, UYG or SPUU?

On 10-year performance, SPUU leads with 24.78% vs 18.50% for UYG. On fees, SPUU is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, UYG has been the lower-risk option at 7.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UYG or SPUU?

Over the 10-year period, SPUU has performed better with a 24.78% return vs 18.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UYG or SPUU?

SPUU is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for UYG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UYG or SPUU?

UYG has the higher dividend yield at 12.50%, compared with 1.40% for SPUU.

What is the main difference between UYG and SPUU?

UYG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (200%), while SPUU tracks S&P 500 Index (200% Daily). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for UYG and 0.60% for SPUU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPUU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 0.06), 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.