VXX vs. VIXM
VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) and VIXM (ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF) are both Volatility funds - VXX tracks the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return while VIXM tracks the S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXX returned -46.29%/yr vs -11.39%/yr for VIXM. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VXX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for VIXM.
Performance
VXX vs. VIXM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VXX achieves a -19.72% return, which is significantly lower than VIXM's -5.24% return. Over the past 10 years, VXX has underperformed VIXM with an annualized return of -46.29%, while VIXM has yielded a comparatively higher -11.39% annualized 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%
VIXM
- 1D
- -0.69%
- 1M
- 1.05%
- 6M
- -5.55%
- YTD
- -5.24%
- 1Y
- -15.13%
- 3Y*
- -9.59%
- 5Y*
- -14.51%
- 10Y*
- -11.39%
- ALL TIME*
- -18.01%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5.30M | $4.78M | $4.32M | |
| $203.07M | $176.34M | $224.72M |
VXX vs. VIXM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | -19.72% | -42.21% | -26.22% | -72.52% | -23.80% | -72.41% | 11.04% | -67.75% | 67.91% | -72.64% |
VIXM ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF | -5.24% | 5.60% | -13.67% | -44.83% | -0.69% | -16.70% | 72.38% | -20.38% | 26.43% | -50.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between VXX and VIXM is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.89 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011 | 0.89 |
The correlation between VXX and VIXM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VXX vs. VIXM — Risk / Return Rank
VXX
VIXM
VXX vs. VIXM - 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 ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM). 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 | VIXM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.85 | 0.89 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.92 | -0.71 | -0.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.40 | -1.36 | -0.05 |
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Drawdowns
VXX vs. VIXM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VXX drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, roughly equal to the maximum VIXM drawdown of -96.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXX and VIXM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VXX | VIXM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -100.00% | -96.23% | -3.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -54.59% | -19.36% | -35.23% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -80.75% | -37.26% | -43.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -95.66% | -63.40% | -32.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -99.80% | -72.34% | -27.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -100.00% | -96.03% | -3.97% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -95.11% | -81.64% | -13.47% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 35.70% | 10.14% | +25.56% |
Volatility
VXX vs. VIXM - Volatility Comparison
iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has a higher volatility of 14.47% compared to ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM) at 3.08%. This indicates that VXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIXM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VXX | VIXM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.47% | 3.08% | +11.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 42.90% | 13.78% | +29.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 57.37% | 18.49% | +38.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 67.63% | 30.50% | +37.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 70.37% | 32.61% | +37.76% |
VXX vs. VIXM - Expense Ratio Comparison
VXX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VIXM's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
VXX vs. VIXM - Dividend Comparison
Neither VXX nor VIXM has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, VXX and VIXM 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.
VXX has higher volatility (14.47%) compared to VIXM (3.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXX dropped -100.00% vs VIXM's -96.23%.
On 10-year performance, VIXM leads with -11.39% vs -46.29% for VXX. On fees, VIXM is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, VIXM has been the lower-risk option at 3.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VIXM has performed better with a -11.39% return vs -46.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VIXM is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for VXX.
VXX and VIXM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
VXX tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while VIXM tracks S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index. They also come from different issuers: Barclays Capital and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for VXX and 0.85% for VIXM.
VIXM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.74 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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