UGL vs VTI
ProShares Ultra Gold vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UGL or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UGL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 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 | UGL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $843M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 6 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -10.25% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.51%Best | +16.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +51.45%Best | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +29.37%Best | +11.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.3% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -75.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $36,238Best | $17,576 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 1, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 3, 2008 to Sep 17, 2026 (17.8 years).
UGL 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 17.8 years both funds cover.
UGL vs VTI Performance
ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UGL returned +20.51% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, UGL is down 10.25% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, UGL compounded at +51.45% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +29.37% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.44% annualized vs +12.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UGL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.3% compared with 15.3% 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 -75.9% for UGL 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 0.08. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UGL 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, UGL currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UGL and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 37.7% and 98.1% 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 UGL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 6 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UGL 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, UGL or VTI?
UGL 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, UGL or VTI?
Over the past year UGL returned +20.51% vs +16.78% for VTI, so UGL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), UGL annualized +12.47% vs +13.44% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UGL or VTI?
UGL has been the more volatile fund at 33.3% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UGL -75.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both UGL and VTI?
UGL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.08, 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, UGL or VTI?
UGL yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UGL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UGL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.