UPRO vs VYM
ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UPRO or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. UPRO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | UPRO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.72% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 520 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +27.24%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +37.98%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +46.88%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.37%Best | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 44.5% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.8% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,239Best | $17,758 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 23, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 25, 2009 to Sep 11, 2026 (17.2 years).
UPRO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
UPRO vs VYM Performance
ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UPRO returned +37.98% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, UPRO is up 27.24% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, UPRO compounded at +46.88% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +18.37% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, UPRO has the edge at +32.37% annualized vs +11.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPRO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 44.5% compared with 13.2% 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 -76.8% for UPRO and -35.7% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UPRO charges 0.89% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $4 annually, a gap of $85 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UPRO currently yields 0.72% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 86.0% of VYM's money is in holdings UPRO also owns.
Stated as a floor: for UPRO, our book for it covers 68.1% 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 UPRO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
236 positions in common, counted across the 500 positions we hold weights for in UPRO and 603 in VYM, against full books of 520 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UPRO | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.43% | 7.29% | 5.86% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 0.69% | 3.38% | 2.69% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 0.45% | 2.54% | 2.09% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.45% | 2.36% | 1.91% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.29% | 2.01% | 1.72% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.35% | 1.93% | 1.58% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.31% | 1.85% | 1.54% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.30% | 1.56% | 1.26% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 0.27% | 1.56% | 1.29% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.25% | 1.46% | 1.21% |
86.0% of VYM is already inside UPRO.
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, UPRO or VYM?
UPRO has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $85 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UPRO or VYM?
Over the past year UPRO returned +37.98% vs +17.57% for VYM, so UPRO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), UPRO annualized +32.37% vs +11.05% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UPRO or VYM?
UPRO has been the more volatile fund at 44.5% annualized versus 13.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: UPRO -76.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both UPRO and VYM?
UPRO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 UPRO and VYM?
At least 86.0% of VYM's money is in holdings UPRO also owns. Our book for UPRO is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 236 positions in common, counted across the 500 positions we hold weights for in UPRO and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, UPRO or VYM?
UPRO yields 0.72% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UPRO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. UPRO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.