SSO vs VTI
ProShares Ultra S&P500 vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SSO or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SSO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.87% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.5B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.64% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 521 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +22.18%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +25.76%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.62%Best | +23.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.42%Best | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.0% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -85.5% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,288Best | $18,286 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 21, 2006 to Oct 2, 2026 (20.3 years).
SSO vs VTI 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 20.3 years both funds cover.
SSO vs VTI Performance
ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SSO returned +25.76% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, SSO is up 22.18% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, SSO compounded at +40.62% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +19.42% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SSO has the edge at +14.74% annualized vs +9.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SSO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.0% compared with 15.7% for VTI. 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 -85.5% for SSO and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. 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 VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 87.8% of VTI's money is in holdings SSO also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SSO, our book for it covers 84.9% 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 VTI is already inside SSO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
492 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SSO and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 521 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SSO | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.46% | 6.40% | 0.94% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.23% | 6.29% | 1.06% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.01% | 4.79% | 0.78% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.65% | 3.65% | 1.00% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.19% | 2.90% | 0.71% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.74% | 2.56% | 0.82% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.75% | 2.31% | 0.56% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.56% | 1.70% | 0.14% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.11% | 1.29% | 0.18% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.00% | 1.31% | 0.31% |
87.8% of VTI 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 VTI?
SSO has an expense ratio of 0.87% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SSO or VTI?
Over the past year SSO returned +25.76% vs +15.92% for VTI, so SSO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SSO annualized +14.74% vs +9.73% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SSO or VTI?
SSO has been the more volatile fund at 31.0% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SSO -85.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both SSO and VTI?
SSO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 VTI?
At least 87.8% of VTI's money is in holdings SSO also owns. Our book for SSO is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 492 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SSO and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SSO or VTI?
SSO yields 0.64% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SSO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SSO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.