UPW vs VTI
ProShares Ultra Utilities vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UPW or VTI?
Multi Alternative 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 | UPW | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.65% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 36 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -12.31% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.92% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.25% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.10% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 29.9% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.5% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,445 | $17,908Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 30, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 1, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.6 years).
UPW 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 19.6 years both funds cover.
UPW vs VTI Performance
ProShares Ultra Utilities (UPW) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UPW returned -7.92% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, UPW is down 12.31% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, UPW compounded at +13.25% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.10% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.22% annualized vs +6.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 29.9% compared with 15.9% 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 -79.5% for UPW and -56.6% 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UPW 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, UPW currently yields 1.65% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.9% of VTI'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.
VTI and UPW share little of their money.
31 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in UPW and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 36 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UPW | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 9.35% | 0.25% | 9.10% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 5.40% | 0.15% | 5.25% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 5.09% | 0.14% | 4.95% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 4.78% | 0.12% | 4.66% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 3.62% | 0.10% | 3.52% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 3.16% | 0.08% | 3.08% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 2.91% | 0.08% | 2.83% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 2.65% | 0.07% | 2.58% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 2.57% | 0.07% | 2.50% |
| EXCExelon | 2.43% | 0.07% | 2.36% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UPW 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, UPW or VTI?
UPW 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, UPW or VTI?
Over the past year UPW returned -7.92% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), UPW annualized +6.72% vs +9.22% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UPW or VTI?
UPW has been the more volatile fund at 29.9% annualized versus 15.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UPW -79.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both UPW and VTI?
UPW and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 VTI?
At least 1.9% of VTI'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 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, UPW or VTI?
UPW yields 1.65% while VTI yields 1.03%, so UPW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UPW?
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.