VIXY vs. SSO
VIXY (ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF) and SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P500) are both exchange-traded funds - VIXY is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index, while SSO is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIXY returned -48.59%/yr vs 24.26%/yr for SSO. At a correlation of -0.78, they often move in opposite directions. VIXY charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for SSO.
Performance
VIXY vs. SSO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIXY achieves a -10.37% return, which is significantly lower than SSO's 12.95% return. Over the past 10 years, VIXY has underperformed SSO with an annualized return of -48.59%, while SSO has yielded a comparatively higher 24.26% annualized return.
VIXY
- 1D
- 5.17%
- 1M
- -9.63%
- YTD
- -10.37%
- 6M
- -12.36%
- 1Y
- -55.30%
- 3Y*
- -39.97%
- 5Y*
- -45.65%
- 10Y*
- -48.59%
SSO
- 1D
- -2.86%
- 1M
- -3.30%
- YTD
- 12.95%
- 6M
- 10.86%
- 1Y
- 42.28%
- 3Y*
- 33.83%
- 5Y*
- 17.91%
- 10Y*
- 24.26%
VIXY vs. SSO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIXY ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | -10.37% | -43.05% | -27.43% | -72.74% | -24.98% | -72.40% | 10.54% | -67.81% | 66.78% | -72.78% |
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500 | 12.95% | 26.19% | 43.48% | 46.65% | -38.98% | 60.57% | 21.54% | 63.45% | -14.60% | 44.35% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIXY and SSO is -0.74, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.74 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.75 |
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 Jan 4, 2011 | -0.78 |
The correlation between VIXY and SSO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.78 to -0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VIXY vs. SSO — Risk / Return Rank
VIXY
SSO
VIXY vs. SSO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). 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.
| VIXY | SSO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.82 | 1.30 | -0.48 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -1.02 | 2.34 | -3.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.56 | 9.90 | -11.46 |
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Drawdowns
VIXY vs. SSO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIXY drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than SSO's maximum drawdown of -84.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIXY and SSO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIXY | SSO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -100.00% | -84.67% | -15.33% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -54.55% | -18.17% | -36.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -79.94% | -35.21% | -44.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -96.20% | -46.73% | -49.47% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -99.88% | -59.34% | -40.54% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -100.00% | -6.70% | -93.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -92.19% | -19.53% | -72.66% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 39.74% | 4.28% | +35.46% |
Volatility
VIXY vs. SSO - Volatility Comparison
ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY) has a higher volatility of 17.03% compared to ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) at 9.70%. This indicates that VIXY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SSO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VIXY | SSO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.03% | 9.70% | +7.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 43.99% | 19.65% | +24.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 56.44% | 24.92% | +31.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 70.37% | 33.85% | +36.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 71.94% | 35.93% | +36.01% |
VIXY vs. SSO - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIXY has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than SSO's 0.87% expense ratio.
Dividends
VIXY vs. SSO - Dividend Comparison
VIXY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SSO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500 | 0.65% | 0.68% | 0.85% | 0.18% | 0.50% | 0.18% | 0.20% | 0.50% | 0.75% | 0.39% | 0.51% | 0.63% |
VIXY ProShares VIX Short-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
VIXY and SSO have a correlation of -0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VIXY has higher volatility (17.03%) compared to SSO (9.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIXY dropped -100.00% vs SSO's -84.67%.
On 10-year performance, SSO leads with 24.26% vs -48.59% for VIXY. On fees, VIXY is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, SSO has been the lower-risk option at 9.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SSO has performed better with a 24.26% return vs -48.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VIXY is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SSO.
SSO has the higher dividend yield at 0.65%, compared with 0.00% for VIXY.
VIXY is categorized as Volatility, while SSO is Leveraged Equities. VIXY tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index, while SSO tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for VIXY and 0.87% for SSO.
SSO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 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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