IVV vs UGL
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs ProShares Ultra Gold
Which is better, IVV or UGL?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window, UGL over 3Y and 5Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IVV | UGL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $843M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +12.01%Best | -12.72% |
| 1Y Return | +16.48%Best | +15.70% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.21% | +50.57%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95% | +27.03%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 33.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -75.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,384 | $33,077Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | - |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Dec 1, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 3, 2008 to Sep 14, 2026 (17.8 years).
IVV vs UGL growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 17.8 years both funds cover.
IVV vs UGL Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% while UGL returned +15.70%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.01% versus a loss of 12.72% for UGL.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.21% per year against +50.57% for UGL; over five years the annualized figures are +12.95% and +27.03% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +13.44% annualized vs +12.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UGL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.4% compared with 14.9% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -33.9% for IVV and -75.9% for UGL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.09. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while UGL charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $95 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for UGL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 1 in UGL, totalling 99.3% and 37.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 1 in UGL, against full books of 508 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and UGL you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or UGL?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while UGL charges 0.95%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or UGL?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% vs +15.70% for UGL, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), IVV annualized +13.44% vs +12.30% for UGL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or UGL?
UGL has been the more volatile fund at 33.4% annualized versus 14.9% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs UGL -75.9%.
Should I hold both IVV and UGL?
IVV and UGL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.09, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or UGL?
IVV yields 1.06% while UGL yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UGL better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window, UGL over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.