NOWL vs VOO

Quick Verdict

VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO delivered stronger 1-year returns. VOO offers more diversification with 505 holdings.

Lower Fees: VOOHigher Returns: VOOMore Diversified: VOO

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNOWLVOOWinner
Expense Ratio1.50%0.03%
AUM$262M$979.0B
Dividend Yield0.00%1.09%
Holdings2509
YTD Return-48.43%+13.44%
1Y Return-65.43%+22.62%
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.47%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.27%
Volatility (annualized)122.1%14.1%
Max Drawdown-86.6%-34.3%
Fund FamilyGraniteSharesVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
InceptionJul 15, 2025Sep 7, 2010

NOWL vs VOO Performance

GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF (NOWL) is a ETF from GraniteShares and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NOWL returned -65.43% while VOO returned +22.62%. Year to date, NOWL is down 48.43% versus a gain of 13.44% for VOO.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

NOWL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 122.1% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -86.6% for NOWL and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.19. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

Fees and Cost Over Time

NOWL charges 1.50% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $3 annually, a gap of $147 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NOWL currently yields 0.00% against 1.09% for VOO.

Holdings Overlap

0.2%overlap

NOWL and VOO share 1 holdings out of 505 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.2% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in NOWLWeight in VOODifference
NOW66.67%0.16%66.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, NOWL or VOO?

NOWL has an expense ratio of 1.50% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $147 per year of difference.

Which performed better, NOWL or VOO?

Over the past year NOWL returned -65.43% vs +22.62% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), NOWL annualized -70.17% vs +13.55% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, NOWL or VOO?

NOWL has been the more volatile fund at 122.1% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: NOWL -86.6% vs VOO -34.3%.

Should I hold both NOWL and VOO?

NOWL and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.19, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between NOWL and VOO?

NOWL and VOO share 1 common holdings with a 0.2% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 505 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, NOWL or VOO?

NOWL yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.09%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Get Full ETF Analytics

Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.