SSO vs VOO
ProShares Ultra S&P500 vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SSO or VOO?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. SSO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.
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 | SSO | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.87% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.7B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.64% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 521 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +21.43%Best | +13.21% |
| 1Y Return | +27.90%Best | +17.37% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +37.95%Best | +22.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.57%Best | +13.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.6% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.3% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,464Best | $18,539 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | 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 24, 2026 (16 years).
SSO 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.
SSO vs VOO Performance
ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SSO returned +27.90% while VOO returned +17.37%. Year to date, SSO is up 21.43% versus a gain of 13.21% for VOO.
Over three years, SSO compounded at +37.95% per year against +22.66% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +17.57% and +13.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SSO has the edge at +23.93% annualized vs +13.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SSO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.6% 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 -59.3% for SSO 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 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SSO charges 0.87% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $87 vs $3 annually, a gap of $84 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SSO currently yields 0.64% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 98.0% of VOO's money is in holdings SSO also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SSO, our book for it covers 83.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VOO is already inside SSO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
481 positions in common, counted across the 503 positions we hold weights for in SSO and 494 in VOO, against full books of 521 and 509.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SSO | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.56% | 7.55% | 1.99% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.84% | 7.05% | 2.21% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.92% | 5.36% | 1.44% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.64% | 4.13% | 1.49% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.07% | 3.24% | 1.17% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.82% | 2.86% | 1.04% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.65% | 2.62% | 0.97% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.31% | 1.90% | 0.59% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.12% | 1.44% | 0.32% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.99% | 1.46% | 0.47% |
98.0% of VOO is already inside SSO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SSO or VOO?
SSO has an expense ratio of 0.87% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SSO or VOO?
Over the past year SSO returned +27.90% vs +17.37% for VOO, so SSO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SSO annualized +23.93% vs +13.42% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SSO or VOO?
SSO has been the more volatile fund at 28.6% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: SSO -59.3% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both SSO and VOO?
SSO and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SSO and VOO?
At least 98.0% of VOO's money is in holdings SSO also owns. Our book for SSO is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 481 positions in common, counted across the 503 positions we hold weights for in SSO and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, SSO or VOO?
SSO yields 0.64% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SSO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. SSO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.