ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY) Performance
VIXY total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −30.1% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- −45.0% total return
- 5 years
- −44.9% a year
- 10 years
- −45.9% a year
- Since first price
- −48.5% a year since 2011
VIXY trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | VIXY total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +6.7% | +6.7% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −17.7% | −17.7% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −37.1% | −37.1% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | −30.1% | −30.1% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | −45.0% | −45.0% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | −82.4%−44.0%/yr | −82.4% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| 5 years | −94.9%−44.9%/yr | −94.9% | +79.3%+12.4%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.8%−0.2%/yr |
| 10 years | −99.8%−45.9%/yr | −99.8% | +315.9%+15.3%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.0%+1.3%/yr |
| 15 years | −100.00%−50.8%/yr | −100.00% | +696.0%+14.8%/yr | +1,299.3%+19.2%/yr | +32.2%+1.9%/yr |
| Since inceptionJan 4, 2011 | −100.00%−48.5%/yr | −100.00% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: VIXY vs SPY
From Jan 4, 2011: VIXY grew to $0, SPY to $78,846.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
VIXY returns by calendar year
2 of 14 full years positive. Best 2018 (+66.8%), worst 2012 (−77.5%). 2026 is year to date.
VIXY annual returns table
| Year | VIXY | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −30.1% | −58.1% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | −43.0% | −69.3% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | −27.4% | −53.6% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | −72.7% | −72.7% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −25.0% | −51.3% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −72.4% | −78.1% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +10.5% | −75.8% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | −67.8% | −68.8% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | +66.8% | −52.9% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | −72.8% | −71.1% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | −68.1% | −79.9% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −36.5% | −57.8% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | −26.4% | −51.7% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | −66.5% | −63.2% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | −77.5% | −79.0% | +16.0% | +18.1% | +3.8% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
VIXY largest drawdowns
Now 100.00% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 3, 2011 | −100.00% | Oct 13, 2026 | not yet | 15.0 years | 15.1 years so far |
| Mar 16, 2011 | −47.1% | Jul 7, 2011 | Aug 18, 2011 | 4 months | 5 months |
| Jan 4, 2011 | −24.1% | Feb 14, 2011 | Mar 16, 2011 | 41 days | 2 months |
| Aug 22, 2011 | −12.3% | Aug 29, 2011 | Sep 9, 2011 | 7 days | 18 days |
| Sep 12, 2011 | −10.4% | Sep 16, 2011 | Sep 22, 2011 | 4 days | 10 days |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
VIXY risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | −43.4% | −48.2% | −46.6% | −48.5% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 43.3% | 46.9% | 62.1% | 63.2% |
| Sharpe ratio | -1.17 | -1.20 | -0.75 | -0.77 |
| Sortino ratio | -1.34 | -1.36 | -1.11 | -1.10 |
| Best month | +25.6% | +25.6% | +101.3% | +101.3% |
| Worst month | −26.6% | −27.7% | −35.3% | −35.3% |
| Best 12 months | +16.6% | +16.6% | +66.8% | +66.8% |
| Worst 12 months | −56.9% | −72.7% | −79.9% | −83.2% |
| Positive months | 36% | 37% | 32% | 32% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | -2.63 | -2.32 | -3.10 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | -0.76 | -0.77 | -0.77 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
VIXY rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 178 | −83.2% | −45.8% | +66.8% | 10% |
| 3-year (a year) | 154 | −66.9% | −49.5% | −8.3% | 0% |
| 5-year (a year) | 130 | −60.3% | −47.5% | −33.4% | 0% |
| 10-year (a year) | 70 | −53.3% | −47.9% | −44.6% | 0% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2011. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
VIXY performance overview
ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY) returned −45.0% over the past year and −45.9% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2011 it has returned −48.5% a year, turning $10,000 into about $0. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −100.00%, from Oct 3, 2011 to Oct 13, 2026; the fund has not yet regained that high. VIXY finished 2 of its 14 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2018 (+66.8%) and the worst 2012 (−77.5%). Volatility has been 63.2% a year.
Related: VIXY chart. See the VIXY overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
VIXY performance FAQ
What is the VIXY return over the past year?
VIXY returned −45.0% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 45.0%.
What is the average annual return of VIXY?
VIXY has returned −44.9% a year over 5 years, −45.9% a year over 10 years, −48.5% a year since January 4, 2011 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in VIXY be worth?
$10,000 invested in VIXY at its first recorded close on January 4, 2011 would be worth about $0 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for VIXY?
The worst calendar year was 2012, with a total return of −77.5%. The best was 2018 at +66.8%.
What is the biggest drawdown of VIXY?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −100.00% between October 3, 2011 and October 13, 2026. It has not yet recovered to that high; it is 100.00% below its peak.
How volatile is VIXY?
Over the past 3 years VIXY had an annualized volatility of 43.3% and a Sharpe ratio of -1.17 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).