VIXM vs. SPXN

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VIXM (ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF) and SPXN (ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIXM is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index, while SPXN is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Ex-Financials and Real Estate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIXM returned -11.18%/yr vs 15.75%/yr for SPXN. Their -0.58 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. VIXM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPXN.

Performance

VIXM vs. SPXN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM) and ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF (SPXN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIXM achieves a -5.57% return, which is significantly lower than SPXN's 14.67% return. Over the past 10 years, VIXM has underperformed SPXN with an annualized return of -11.18%, while SPXN has yielded a comparatively higher 15.75% annualized return.

VIXM

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.70%
• 6M: -5.57%
• YTD: -5.57%
• 1Y: -14.47%
• 3Y*: -10.95%
• 5Y*: -14.33%
• 10Y*: -11.18%
• ALL TIME*: -18.02%

SPXN

• 1D: 1.97%
• 1M: 3.54%
• 6M: 12.99%
• YTD: 14.67%
• 1Y: 25.50%
• 3Y*: 21.91%
• 5Y*: 13.85%
• 10Y*: 15.75%
• ALL TIME*: 15.96%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SPXN ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF	$132.81K	$124.29K	$147.01K
VIXM ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF	$8.24M	$6.07M	$4.69M

VIXM vs. SPXN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIXM ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF	-5.57%	5.60%	-13.67%	-44.83%	-0.69%	-16.70%	72.38%	-20.38%	26.43%	-50.05%
SPXN ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF	14.67%	18.74%	24.35%	28.57%	-18.87%	27.04%	22.15%	31.50%	-3.85%	20.84%

Correlation

The correlation between VIXM and SPXN is -0.67, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.67
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.66
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	-0.70
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	-0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015	-0.58

The correlation between VIXM and SPXN shifts across timeframes, from -0.70 (5 years) to -0.58 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VIXM vs. SPXN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VIXM

VIXM Risk / Return Rank: 3
VIXM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
VIXM Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
VIXM Omega Ratio Rank: 3
VIXM Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
VIXM Martin Ratio Rank: 1

SPXN

SPXN Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SPXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SPXN Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
SPXN Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VIXM vs. SPXN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM) and ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF (SPXN). 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.

	VIXM	SPXN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.79	1.83	-2.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.02	2.50	-3.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	1.32	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.75	2.77	-3.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.43	10.66	-12.08

VIXM vs. SPXN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIXM Sharpe Ratio is -0.79, which is lower than the SPXN Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIXM and SPXN, 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

VIXM vs. SPXN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIXM drawdown since its inception was -96.23%, which is greater than SPXN's maximum drawdown of -32.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIXM and SPXN.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIXM	SPXN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.23%	-32.10%	-64.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.36%	-9.26%	-10.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.26%	-19.56%	-17.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.40%	-24.47%	-38.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.34%	-32.10%	-40.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.04%	0.00%	-96.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-81.65%	-3.98%	-77.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.17%	2.40%	+7.77%

Volatility

VIXM vs. SPXN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM) is 3.09%, while ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF (SPXN) has a volatility of 4.51%. This indicates that VIXM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPXN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIXM	SPXN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.09%	4.51%	-1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.72%	11.26%	+2.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.41%	14.05%	+4.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.50%	17.37%	+13.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.61%	17.72%	+14.89%

VIXM vs. SPXN - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIXM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXN's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIXM vs. SPXN - Dividend Comparison

VIXM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPXN ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF	0.88%	0.98%	1.12%	1.19%	1.35%	0.94%	1.09%	1.41%	1.76%	1.54%	2.60%	0.52%
VIXM ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIXM and SPXN in my portfolio?

VIXM and SPXN have a correlation of -0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIXM or SPXN?

SPXN has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to VIXM (3.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIXM dropped -96.23% vs SPXN's -32.10%.

Which ETF is better, VIXM or SPXN?

On 10-year performance, SPXN leads with 15.75% vs -11.18% for VIXM. On fees, SPXN is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VIXM has been the lower-risk option at 3.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIXM or SPXN?

Over the 10-year period, SPXN has performed better with a 15.75% return vs -11.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIXM or SPXN?

SPXN is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for VIXM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIXM or SPXN?

SPXN has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.00% for VIXM.

What is the main difference between VIXM and SPXN?

VIXM is categorized as Volatility, while SPXN is S&P 500. VIXM tracks S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index, while SPXN tracks S&P 500 Ex-Financials and Real Estate Index. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for VIXM and 0.09% for SPXN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs -0.79), 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.