UYG vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UYG (ProShares Ultra Financials) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UYG is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (200%), while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, UYG returned 15.85%/yr vs 12.38%/yr for XLF. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. UYG charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

UYG vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UYG achieves a -16.05% return, which is significantly lower than XLF's -6.64% return. Over the past 10 years, UYG has outperformed XLF with an annualized return of 15.85%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively lower 12.38% annualized return.

UYG

• 1D: -2.38%
• 1M: -3.38%
• YTD: -16.05%
• 6M: -11.80%
• 1Y: -5.74%
• 3Y*: 26.28%
• 5Y*: 8.13%
• 10Y*: 15.85%

XLF

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: -6.64%
• 6M: -4.18%
• 1Y: 1.13%
• 3Y*: 17.64%
• 5Y*: 7.61%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

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

UYG vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UYG ProShares Ultra Financials	-16.05%	19.77%	55.71%	22.14%	-32.11%	76.26%	-20.32%	66.15%	-22.61%	39.28%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-6.64%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between UYG and XLF is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
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	0.98

The correlation between UYG and XLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

UYG vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UYG	XLF
Financial Services	98.0%	98.0%
Technology	1.7%	1.8%
Industrials	0.2%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

UYG vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

UYG

UYG Risk / Return Rank: 7
UYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
UYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
UYG Omega Ratio Rank: 7
UYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
UYG Martin Ratio Rank: 7

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 9
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

	UYG	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	0.08	-0.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.08	0.20	-0.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.02	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.20	0.08	-0.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.48	0.20	-0.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UYG vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UYG Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UYG and XLF, 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

	UYG	XLF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20	0.08	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.41	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.56	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.01	0.20	-0.21

Drawdowns

UYG vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UYG drawdown since its inception was -97.90%, which is greater than XLF's maximum drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UYG and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	UYG	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.90%	-82.69%	-15.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.91%	-14.79%	-14.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.35%	-15.54%	-14.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.77%	-25.81%	-21.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.98%	-42.86%	-27.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.72%	-9.34%	-11.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-63.37%	-20.03%	-43.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.88%	5.66%	+6.22%

Volatility

UYG vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) has a higher volatility of 6.51% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 3.29%. This indicates that UYG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UYG	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.51%	3.29%	+3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.88%	10.94%	+10.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.84%	14.41%	+14.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.14%	18.63%	+17.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.04%	22.16%	+18.88%

UYG vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

UYG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

UYG vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

UYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.92%, more than XLF's 1.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UYG ProShares Ultra Financials	13.92%	11.72%	0.51%	0.79%	0.77%	9.39%	0.66%	0.90%	1.28%	0.56%	0.76%	0.72%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.56%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UYG and XLF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, UYG and XLF 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, UYG or XLF?

UYG has higher volatility (6.51%) compared to XLF (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UYG dropped -97.90% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, UYG or XLF?

On 10-year performance, UYG leads with 15.85% vs 12.38% for XLF. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 3.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UYG or XLF?

Over the 10-year period, UYG has performed better with a 15.85% return vs 12.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UYG or XLF?

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for UYG.

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

UYG has the higher dividend yield at 13.92%, compared with 1.56% for XLF.

What is the main difference between UYG and XLF?

UYG is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. UYG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (200%), while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for UYG and 0.08% for XLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.08 vs -0.20), 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.