VIXY vs. VGT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VIXY (ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIXY is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIXY returned -47.14%/yr vs 25.97%/yr for VGT. At a correlation of -0.70, they often move in opposite directions. VIXY charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

VIXY vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIXY achieves a -8.50% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 33.62% return. Over the past 10 years, VIXY has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of -47.14%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 25.97% annualized return.

VIXY

• 1D: -1.64%
• 1M: -14.47%
• YTD: -8.50%
• 6M: -23.33%
• 1Y: -54.88%
• 3Y*: -42.78%
• 5Y*: -47.31%
• 10Y*: -47.14%

VGT

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 19.95%
• YTD: 33.62%
• 6M: 32.71%
• 1Y: 65.14%
• 3Y*: 34.15%
• 5Y*: 23.05%
• 10Y*: 25.97%

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

VIXY vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIXY ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF	-8.50%	-43.05%	-27.43%	-72.74%	-24.98%	-72.40%	10.54%	-67.81%	66.78%	-72.78%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	33.62%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between VIXY and VGT is -0.59, 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	-0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2011	-0.70

The correlation between VIXY and VGT shifts across timeframes, from -0.70 (all time) to -0.59 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VIXY vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIXY

VIXY Risk / Return Rank: 1
VIXY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
VIXY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
VIXY Omega Ratio Rank: 1
VIXY Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
VIXY Martin Ratio Rank: 1

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 81
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

VIXY vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	VIXY	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.98	3.19	-4.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.62	3.88	-5.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.51	-0.70
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.98	4.06	-5.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.39	13.01	-14.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIXY vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIXY Sharpe Ratio is -0.98, which is lower than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 3.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIXY and VGT, 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

	VIXY	VGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.98	3.19	-4.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.68	0.92	-1.60
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.65	1.06	-1.71
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.69	0.68	-1.38

Drawdowns

VIXY vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIXY drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than VGT's maximum drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIXY and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIXY	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-54.63%	-45.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-56.72%	-16.40%	-40.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-81.40%	-27.23%	-54.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-95.92%	-35.07%	-60.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.87%	-35.07%	-64.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	0.00%	-100.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-92.18%	-7.95%	-84.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	40.06%	5.12%	+34.94%

Volatility

VIXY vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY) has a higher volatility of 8.18% compared to Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) at 5.98%. This indicates that VIXY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIXY	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.18%	5.98%	+2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.46%	15.98%	+25.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	55.90%	20.52%	+35.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	70.32%	25.17%	+45.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	72.49%	24.60%	+47.89%

VIXY vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIXY has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIXY vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

VIXY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.30%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%
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

Can I hold both VIXY and VGT in my portfolio?

VIXY and VGT have a correlation of -0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIXY or VGT?

VIXY has higher volatility (8.18%) compared to VGT (5.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIXY dropped -100.00% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which ETF is better, VIXY or VGT?

On 10-year performance, VGT leads with 25.97% vs -47.14% for VIXY. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VGT has been the lower-risk option at 5.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIXY or VGT?

Over the 10-year period, VGT has performed better with a 25.97% return vs -47.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIXY or VGT?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for VIXY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIXY or VGT?

VGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.30%, compared with 0.00% for VIXY.

What is the main difference between VIXY and VGT?

VIXY is categorized as Volatility, while VGT is Technology Equities. VIXY tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProFund Advisors LLC and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for VIXY and 0.09% for VGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 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.