VXX vs. SVOL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) and SVOL (Simplify Volatility Premium ETF) are both Volatility funds. VXX is passively managed, while SVOL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VXX returned -46.10%/yr vs 6.70%/yr for SVOL. At a correlation of -0.81, they often move in opposite directions. VXX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SVOL.

Performance

VXX vs. SVOL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) and Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VXX achieves a -8.16% return, which is significantly lower than SVOL's -0.40% return.

VXX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -15.21%
• YTD: -8.16%
• 6M: -22.63%
• 1Y: -53.35%
• 3Y*: -42.02%
• 5Y*: -46.10%
• 10Y*: -46.78%

SVOL

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.98%
• YTD: -0.40%
• 6M: 1.29%
• 1Y: 10.62%
• 3Y*: 6.58%
• 5Y*: 6.70%
• 10Y*: —

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

VXX vs. SVOL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN	-8.16%	-42.21%	-26.22%	-72.52%	-23.80%	-57.65%
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	-0.40%	2.41%	6.77%	22.88%	-3.30%	12.25%

Correlation

The correlation between VXX and SVOL is -0.73, 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	-0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2021	-0.81

The correlation between VXX and SVOL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.81 to -0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VXX vs. SVOL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VXX

VXX Risk / Return Rank: 1
VXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
VXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
VXX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
VXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
VXX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SVOL

SVOL Risk / Return Rank: 18
SVOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
SVOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
SVOL Omega Ratio Rank: 18
SVOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
SVOL Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

VXX vs. SVOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) and Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL). 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.

	VXX	SVOL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.96	0.51	-1.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.56	0.85	-2.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.12	-0.30
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.95	0.82	-1.77
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.34	1.94	-3.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VXX vs. SVOL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXX Sharpe Ratio is -0.96, which is lower than the SVOL Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXX and SVOL, 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

	VXX	SVOL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.96	0.51	-1.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.68	0.31	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.77	0.35	-1.12

Drawdowns

VXX vs. SVOL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXX drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than SVOL's maximum drawdown of -33.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXX and SVOL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXX	SVOL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-33.50%	-66.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-56.23%	-13.01%	-43.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-80.28%	-33.50%	-46.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-95.68%	-33.50%	-62.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	-2.98%	-97.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-95.08%	-4.77%	-90.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	39.88%	5.49%	+34.39%

Volatility

VXX vs. SVOL - Volatility Comparison

iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has a higher volatility of 8.29% compared to Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) at 1.41%. This indicates that VXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SVOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VXX	SVOL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.29%	1.41%	+6.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.88%	9.57%	+31.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	55.57%	20.90%	+34.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	67.96%	21.99%	+45.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	70.96%	21.92%	+49.04%

VXX vs. SVOL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VXX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than SVOL's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

VXX vs. SVOL - Dividend Comparison

VXX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SVOL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.10%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	22.10%	19.82%	16.79%	16.36%	18.32%	4.65%
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VXX and SVOL in my portfolio?

VXX and SVOL have a correlation of -0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VXX or SVOL?

VXX has higher volatility (8.29%) compared to SVOL (1.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXX dropped -100.00% vs SVOL's -33.50%.

Which ETF is better, VXX or SVOL?

On 5-year performance, SVOL leads with 6.70% vs -46.10% for VXX. On fees, SVOL is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SVOL has been the lower-risk option at 1.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VXX or SVOL?

Over the 5-year period, SVOL has performed better with a 6.70% return vs -46.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VXX or SVOL?

SVOL is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for VXX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VXX or SVOL?

SVOL has the higher dividend yield at 22.10%, compared with 0.00% for VXX.

What is the main difference between VXX and SVOL?

They also come from different issuers: Barclays Capital and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for VXX and 0.50% for SVOL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SVOL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.51 vs -0.96), 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.