SAA vs VOO
ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SAA or VOO?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. SAA led over 1Y and the full window, VOO 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 | SAA | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $28M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.79% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 607 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +26.37%Best | +14.14% |
| 1Y Return | +28.21%Best | +17.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.72% | +23.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.81% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.6% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.7% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,056 | $19,128Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 23, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 21, 2026 (16 years).
SAA vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
SAA vs VOO Performance
ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 (SAA) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SAA returned +28.21% while VOO returned +17.31%. Year to date, SAA is up 26.37% versus a gain of 14.14% for VOO.
Over three years, SAA compounded at +20.72% per year against +23.16% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +3.81% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SAA has the edge at +16.21% annualized vs +13.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.6% 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 -74.7% for SAA and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAA charges 0.95% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAA currently yields 0.79% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of VOO's money is in holdings SAA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SAA, our book for it covers 74.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 595 positions we hold weights for in SAA and 494 in VOO, against full books of 607 and 509.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SAA | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 0.03% | 0.16% | 0.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SAA and VOO 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, SAA or VOO?
SAA has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SAA or VOO?
Over the past year SAA returned +28.21% vs +17.31% for VOO, so SAA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SAA annualized +16.21% vs +13.49% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SAA or VOO?
SAA has been the more volatile fund at 38.6% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: SAA -74.7% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both SAA and VOO?
SAA and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, SAA or VOO?
SAA yields 0.79% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SAA?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. SAA led over 1Y and the full window, VOO over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.