VXX vs. UVIX
VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) and UVIX (2x Long VIX Futures ETF) are both Volatility funds - VXX tracks the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return while UVIX tracks the Long VIX Futures Index (200% Daily). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VXX returned -38.60%/yr vs -80.36%/yr for UVIX. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VXX charges 0.89%/yr vs 2.78%/yr for UVIX.
Performance
VXX vs. UVIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VXX achieves a -19.72% return, which is significantly higher than UVIX's -51.21% return.
VXX
- 1D
- -2.61%
- 1M
- -3.58%
- 6M
- -22.73%
- YTD
- -19.72%
- 1Y
- -53.71%
- 3Y*
- -38.60%
- 5Y*
- -46.47%
- 10Y*
- -46.29%
- ALL TIME*
- -51.44%
UVIX
- 1D
- -5.70%
- 1M
- -10.07%
- 6M
- -52.70%
- YTD
- -51.21%
- 1Y
- -86.13%
- 3Y*
- -80.36%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- -83.88%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $106.53M | $96.18M | $159.38M | |
| $203.07M | $176.34M | $224.72M |
VXX vs. UVIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | -19.72% | -42.21% | -26.22% | -72.52% | -43.18% |
UVIX 2x Long VIX Futures ETF | -51.21% | -83.21% | -75.24% | -95.28% | -61.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between VXX and UVIX is 0.99 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2022 | 0.97 |
The correlation between VXX and UVIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VXX vs. UVIX — Risk / Return Rank
VXX
UVIX
VXX vs. UVIX - 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 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (UVIX). 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.
| VXX | UVIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.85 | 0.84 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.92 | -0.97 | +0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.40 | -1.30 | -0.10 |
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Drawdowns
VXX vs. UVIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VXX drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, roughly equal to the maximum UVIX drawdown of -99.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXX and UVIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VXX | UVIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -100.00% | -99.98% | -0.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -54.59% | -86.37% | +31.78% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -80.75% | -99.42% | +18.67% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -95.66% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -99.80% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -100.00% | -99.98% | -0.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -95.11% | -88.86% | -6.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 35.70% | 64.40% | -28.70% |
Volatility
VXX vs. UVIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) is 14.47%, while 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (UVIX) has a volatility of 28.39%. This indicates that VXX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UVIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VXX | UVIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.47% | 28.39% | -13.92% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 42.90% | 85.91% | -43.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 57.37% | 114.84% | -57.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 67.63% | 135.16% | -67.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 70.37% | 135.16% | -64.79% |
VXX vs. UVIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VXX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is lower than UVIX's 2.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
VXX vs. UVIX - Dividend Comparison
Neither VXX nor UVIX has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, VXX and UVIX 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.
UVIX has higher volatility (28.39%) compared to VXX (14.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXX dropped -100.00% vs UVIX's -99.98%.
On 3-year performance, VXX leads with -38.60% vs -80.36% for UVIX. On fees, VXX is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, VXX has been the lower-risk option at 14.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VXX has performed better with a -38.60% return vs -80.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VXX is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 2.78% for UVIX.
VXX and UVIX have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
VXX tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while UVIX tracks Long VIX Futures Index (200% Daily). They also come from different issuers: Barclays Capital and Volatility Shares. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for VXX and 2.78% for UVIX.
UVIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.73 vs -0.87), 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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