VIXM vs. VXX
VIXM (ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF) and VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) are both Volatility funds - VIXM tracks the S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index while VXX tracks the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIXM returned -12.28%/yr vs -48.25%/yr for VXX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VIXM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for VXX.
Performance
VIXM vs. VXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIXM achieves a -1.77% return, which is significantly higher than VXX's -9.82% return. Over the past 10 years, VIXM has outperformed VXX with an annualized return of -12.28%, while VXX has yielded a comparatively lower -48.25% annualized return.
VIXM
- 1D
- 0.67%
- 1M
- -4.64%
- YTD
- -1.77%
- 6M
- 0.07%
- 1Y
- -12.74%
- 3Y*
- -11.89%
- 5Y*
- -13.09%
- 10Y*
- -12.28%
VXX
- 1D
- 5.99%
- 1M
- -9.65%
- YTD
- -9.82%
- 6M
- -11.92%
- 1Y
- -54.78%
- 3Y*
- -39.15%
- 5Y*
- -45.02%
- 10Y*
- -48.25%
VIXM vs. VXX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIXM ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF | -1.77% | 5.60% | -13.67% | -44.83% | -0.69% | -16.70% | 72.38% | -20.38% | 26.43% | -50.05% |
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | -9.82% | -42.21% | -26.22% | -72.52% | -23.80% | -72.41% | 11.04% | -67.75% | 67.91% | -72.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIXM and VXX is 0.91, 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 | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011 | 0.89 |
The correlation between VIXM and VXX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VIXM vs. VXX — Risk / Return Rank
VIXM
VXX
VIXM vs. VXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX). 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 | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.76 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.90 | 0.82 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.82 | -1.01 | +0.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.55 | -1.55 | 0.00 |
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Drawdowns
VIXM vs. VXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIXM drawdown since its inception was -96.23%, roughly equal to the maximum VXX drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIXM and VXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIXM | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -96.23% | -100.00% | +3.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.53% | -54.18% | +38.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -37.35% | -79.21% | +41.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -63.40% | -95.97% | +32.57% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -75.56% | -99.87% | +24.31% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -95.88% | -100.00% | +4.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -81.54% | -95.08% | +13.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.43% | 39.47% | -31.04% |
Volatility
VIXM vs. VXX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM) is 4.20%, while iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has a volatility of 17.21%. This indicates that VIXM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VIXM | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.20% | 17.21% | -13.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.13% | 43.47% | -29.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.70% | 56.26% | -37.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.62% | 68.03% | -37.41% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.68% | 70.41% | -37.73% |
VIXM vs. VXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIXM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than VXX's 0.89% expense ratio.
Dividends
VIXM vs. VXX - Dividend Comparison
Neither VIXM nor VXX has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, VIXM and VXX 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.
VXX has higher volatility (17.21%) compared to VIXM (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIXM dropped -96.23% vs VXX's -100.00%.
On 10-year performance, VIXM leads with -12.28% vs -48.25% for VXX. On fees, VIXM is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, VIXM has been the lower-risk option at 4.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VIXM has performed better with a -12.28% return vs -48.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VIXM is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for VXX.
VIXM and VXX have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
VIXM tracks S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index, while VXX tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Barclays Capital. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for VIXM and 0.89% for VXX.
VIXM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.68 vs -0.98), 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.
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