VOO vs ZSL
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF vs ProShares UltraShort Silver
Which is better, VOO or ZSL?
Large Cap Blend against Trading-Inverse Commodities.
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 | VOO | ZSL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $997.4B | $81M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 509 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +12.25%Best | -53.26% |
| 1Y Return | +17.03%Best | -87.68% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.25%Best | -68.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.08%Best | -54.56% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 61.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,490Best | $194 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Inverse Commodities |
| Inception | Sep 7, 2010 | Dec 1, 2008 |
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 17, 2026 (16 years).
VOO vs ZSL 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.
VOO vs ZSL Performance
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and ProShares UltraShort Silver (ZSL) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year VOO returned +17.03% while ZSL returned -87.68%. Year to date, VOO is up 12.25% versus a loss of 53.26% for ZSL.
Over three years, VOO compounded at +21.25% per year against -68.83% for ZSL; over five years the annualized figures are +13.08% and -54.56% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.38% annualized vs -37.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZSL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 61.2% compared with 14.1% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.29. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOO charges 0.03% per year while ZSL charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $95 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOO currently yields 1.04% against 0.00% for ZSL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 494 holdings in VOO and 1 in ZSL, totalling 99.5% and 13.0% 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 494 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 1 in ZSL, against full books of 509 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VOO and ZSL 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, VOO or ZSL?
VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while ZSL charges 0.95%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOO or ZSL?
Over the past year VOO returned +17.03% vs -87.68% for ZSL, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VOO annualized +13.38% vs -37.50% for ZSL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOO or ZSL?
ZSL has been the more volatile fund at 61.2% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO.
Should I hold both VOO and ZSL?
VOO and ZSL have a monthly-return correlation of -0.29, 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, VOO or ZSL?
VOO yields 1.04% while ZSL yields 0.00%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZSL better than VOO?
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.