UPW vs VOO
ProShares Ultra Utilities vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, UPW or VOO?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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 | UPW | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.65% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 36 | 509 |
| YTD Return | -12.31% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.92% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.25% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.10% | +13.49%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.6% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.3% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,445 | $18,827Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 30, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16 years).
UPW vs VOO 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 years both funds cover.
UPW vs VOO Performance
ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UPW returned -7.92% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, UPW is down 12.31% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, UPW compounded at +13.25% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +6.10% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.39% annualized vs +12.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.6% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -67.3% for UPW and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UPW charges 0.95% per year while VOO 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, UPW currently yields 1.65% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.1% of VOO's money is in holdings UPW also owns.
Stated as a floor: for UPW, our book for it covers 71.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VOO and UPW share little of their money.
31 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in UPW and 494 in VOO, against full books of 36 and 509.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UPW | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 9.35% | 0.28% | 9.07% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 5.40% | 0.17% | 5.23% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 5.09% | 0.15% | 4.94% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 4.78% | 0.13% | 4.65% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 3.62% | 0.11% | 3.51% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 3.16% | 0.09% | 3.07% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 2.91% | 0.09% | 2.82% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 2.65% | 0.08% | 2.57% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 2.57% | 0.08% | 2.49% |
| EXCExelon | 2.43% | 0.07% | 2.36% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UPW and VOO 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, UPW or VOO?
UPW has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UPW or VOO?
Over the past year UPW returned -7.92% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), UPW annualized +12.12% vs +13.39% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UPW or VOO?
UPW has been the more volatile fund at 28.6% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: UPW -67.3% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both UPW and VOO?
UPW and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between UPW and VOO?
At least 2.1% of VOO's money is in holdings UPW also owns. Our book for UPW is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in UPW and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, UPW or VOO?
UPW yields 1.65% while VOO yields 1.04%, so UPW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than UPW?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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.