UST vs VYM
ProShares Ultra 7-10 Year Treasury vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UST or VYM?
Trading-Leveraged Debt against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | UST | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.64% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 6 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -6.01% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.59% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +0.72% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -8.45% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,431 | $17,758Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Debt | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 19, 2010 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 22, 2010 to Sep 9, 2026 (16.6 years).
UST 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 covers the 16.6 years both funds cover.
UST vs VYM Performance
ProShares Ultra 7-10 Year Treasury (UST) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UST returned -6.59% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, UST is down 6.01% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, UST compounded at +0.72% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -8.45% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.31% annualized vs +1.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 12.6% for UST. 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 -48.1% for UST 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 -0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UST charges 0.95% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $4 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UST currently yields 3.64% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UST and 603 in VYM, totalling 93.3% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, UST as of Aug 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in UST and 603 in VYM, against full books of 6 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UST and VYM 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, UST or VYM?
UST has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UST or VYM?
Over the past year UST returned -6.59% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), UST annualized +1.46% vs +10.31% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UST or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 12.6% for UST. Worst drawdown: UST -48.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both UST and VYM?
UST and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of -0.07, 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, UST or VYM?
UST yields 3.64% while VYM yields 2.22%, so UST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UST?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.