SSO vs VYM
ProShares Ultra S&P500 vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SSO or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SSO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.87% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $8.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.64% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 521 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +21.64%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +27.21%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +38.07%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.68%Best | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.4% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -85.5% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,569Best | $17,311 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.9 years).
SSO vs VYM 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
SSO vs VYM Performance
ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SSO returned +27.21% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, SSO is up 21.64% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, SSO compounded at +38.07% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +17.68% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SSO has the edge at +13.84% annualized vs +6.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SSO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.4% compared with 14.6% for VYM. 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 -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. 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 VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $87 vs $4 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SSO currently yields 0.64% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 89.1% of VYM'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 VYM is already inside SSO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
249 positions in common, counted across the 503 positions we hold weights for in SSO and 557 in VYM, against full books of 521 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SSO | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.82% | 7.35% | 5.53% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.99% | 3.82% | 2.83% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.69% | 2.63% | 1.94% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.67% | 2.51% | 1.84% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.45% | 1.86% | 1.41% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.47% | 1.80% | 1.33% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.37% | 1.52% | 1.15% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.40% | 1.48% | 1.08% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.38% | 1.50% | 1.12% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.36% | 1.38% | 1.02% |
89.1% of VYM 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 VYM?
SSO has an expense ratio of 0.87% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SSO or VYM?
Over the past year SSO returned +27.21% vs +14.28% for VYM, so SSO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SSO annualized +13.84% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SSO or VYM?
SSO has been the more volatile fund at 31.4% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SSO -85.5% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both SSO and VYM?
SSO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 VYM?
At least 89.1% of VYM's money is in holdings SSO also owns. Our book for SSO is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 249 positions in common, counted across the 503 positions we hold weights for in SSO and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SSO or VYM?
SSO yields 0.64% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SSO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SSO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.