VSDB vs. UCO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) and UCO (ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil) are both exchange-traded funds - VSDB is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard, while UCO is a Leveraged Commodities fund tracking the Dow Jones-UBS Crude Oil Sub-Index (200%). VSDB is actively managed, while UCO is passively managed. Over the past year, VSDB returned 5.06% vs 115.57% for UCO. At a correlation of -0.33, they often move in opposite directions. VSDB charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for UCO.

Performance

VSDB vs. UCO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSDB achieves a 1.00% return, which is significantly lower than UCO's 139.34% return.

VSDB

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.00%
• 6M: 1.50%
• 1Y: 5.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UCO

• 1D: -3.93%
• 1M: -5.57%
• YTD: 139.34%
• 6M: 124.58%
• 1Y: 115.57%
• 3Y*: 24.38%
• 5Y*: 21.18%
• 10Y*: -11.98%

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

VSDB vs. UCO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	1.00%	4.85%
UCO ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil	139.34%	-19.53%

Correlation

The correlation between VSDB and UCO is -0.39, 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	-0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025	-0.33

Return for Risk

VSDB vs. UCO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSDB

VSDB Risk / Return Rank: 85
VSDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VSDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VSDB Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VSDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VSDB Martin Ratio Rank: 81

UCO

UCO Risk / Return Rank: 54
UCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
UCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
UCO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
UCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
UCO Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

VSDB vs. UCO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO). 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.

	VSDB	UCO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	2.03	+0.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.61	2.39	+2.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.31	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.57	3.34	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.78	6.32	+9.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSDB vs. UCO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSDB Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is higher than the UCO Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSDB and UCO, 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

	VSDB	UCO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	2.03	+0.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.36	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.17	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.68	-0.34	+3.02

Drawdowns

VSDB vs. UCO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSDB drawdown since its inception was -1.42%, smaller than the maximum UCO drawdown of -99.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSDB and UCO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSDB	UCO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.42%	-99.95%	+98.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.42%	-34.77%	+33.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-50.38%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-67.24%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-98.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-99.26%	+99.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.19%	-85.49%	+85.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.32%	18.34%	-18.02%

Volatility

VSDB vs. UCO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) is 0.55%, while ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO) has a volatility of 20.99%. This indicates that VSDB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UCO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSDB	UCO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.55%	20.99%	-20.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.35%	46.57%	-45.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75%	57.26%	-55.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.89%	59.81%	-57.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.89%	71.35%	-69.46%

VSDB vs. UCO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSDB has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than UCO's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSDB vs. UCO - Dividend Comparison

VSDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.16%, while UCO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
UCO ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil	0.00%	0.00%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	4.16%	3.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSDB and UCO in my portfolio?

VSDB and UCO have a correlation of -0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSDB or UCO?

UCO has higher volatility (20.99%) compared to VSDB (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSDB dropped -1.42% vs UCO's -99.95%.

Which ETF is better, VSDB or UCO?

On 1-year performance, UCO leads with 115.57% vs 5.06% for VSDB. On fees, VSDB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, VSDB has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VSDB or UCO?

Over the 1-year period, UCO has performed better with a 115.57% return vs 5.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSDB or UCO?

VSDB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for UCO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VSDB or UCO?

VSDB has the higher dividend yield at 4.16%, compared with 0.00% for UCO.

What is the main difference between VSDB and UCO?

VSDB is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while UCO is Leveraged Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VSDB and 0.95% for UCO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.03), 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.