UBT vs VTI
ProShares Ultra 20+ Year Treasury vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UBT or VTI?
Trading-Leveraged Debt against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | UBT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $64M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.79% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 8 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -8.37% | +12.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.47% | +19.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -7.33% | +20.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -21.01% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.2% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $3,075 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Debt | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 19, 2010 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 21, 2010 to Sep 8, 2026 (16.6 years).
UBT 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 16.6 years both funds cover.
UBT vs VTI Performance
ProShares Ultra 20+ Year Treasury (UBT) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UBT returned -12.47% while VTI returned +19.17%. Year to date, UBT is down 8.37% versus a gain of 12.95% for VTI.
Over three years, UBT compounded at -7.33% per year against +20.86% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -21.01% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.60% annualized vs -0.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UBT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.2% compared with 14.8% 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 -79.0% for UBT and -35.0% 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 -0.10. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UBT charges 0.95% per year while VTI 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, UBT currently yields 3.79% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UBT and 2,788 in VTI, totalling 95.8% and 92.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in UBT and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 8 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UBT and VTI 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, UBT or VTI?
UBT has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UBT or VTI?
Over the past year UBT returned -12.47% vs +19.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), UBT annualized -0.44% vs +12.60% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UBT or VTI?
UBT has been the more volatile fund at 27.2% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UBT -79.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both UBT and VTI?
UBT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.10, 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, UBT or VTI?
UBT yields 3.79% while VTI yields 1.07%, so UBT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UBT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.