# ProShares - UltraShort Energy (DUG) ETF

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> **Last updated:** 2026-03-15 UTC  
> **Disclaimer:** This is not financial advice. Educational purposes only.

## Quick Answer

The ProShares UltraShort Energy (DUG) is an equity ETF with $0.01B in assets under management. Launched in 2007, DUG seeks to deliver twice the inverse of the daily performance of the S&P Energy Select Sector Index, offering a leveraged approach to shorting the energy sector. With a relatively high expense ratio of 1.41%, DUG is designed for sophisticated investors seeking short-term, tactical exposure to energy sector declines, rather than long-term investment.

## Fund Snapshot

- **Fund Name:** ProShares - UltraShort Energy
- **Symbol:** DUG
- **Asset Class:** Equity
- **Issuer:** ProShares
- **Domicile:** US
- **Expense Ratio:** 1.41%
- **NAV:** $19.28
- **AUM:** $12.79M
- **Inception Date:** 2007-01-30
- **Holdings Count:** 8
- **Dividend Yield:** 508.00%
- **Beta:** -0.73

## About ProShares - UltraShort Energy

ProShares UltraShort Energy seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times the inverse (-2x) of the daily performance of the S&P Energy Select SectorSM Index.

## Investment Strategy

ProShares UltraShort Energy (DUG) aims to provide daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times the inverse (-2x) of the daily performance of the S&P Energy Select Sector Index. This ETF is designed for investors who believe the energy sector will decline in the short term. DUG achieves its investment objective through the use of derivatives, primarily swap agreements, to gain leveraged inverse exposure to the underlying index. As a leveraged inverse ETF, DUG resets daily, making it unsuitable for holding periods longer than a day. The fund's sector allocation is currently 100% in Cash & Others, reflecting its use of derivative instruments to achieve its investment objective rather than direct investment in energy companies. The country exposure is 100% to Other, indicating the fund's investments are not directly tied to the U.S. market.

## Risk Profile

DUG carries a high degree of risk due to its leveraged and inverse nature. Its beta of -0.73 indicates an inverse correlation to the market, but this relationship may not hold consistently. The fund's use of leverage can magnify both gains and losses, making it significantly more volatile than a non-leveraged ETF. The high expense ratio of 1.41% further erodes returns, especially if held for extended periods. Concentration risk is also a factor, as the fund's performance is tied to a single sector (energy) and its inverse relationship to that sector. Due to the daily reset, compounding can lead to significantly different results than the stated -2x daily objective over longer time horizons. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

## Sector Allocation

- Cash & Others: 100.0%

## Country Allocation

- Other: 100.0%

## Market Context

DUG's relevance is tied to the performance of the energy sector, making it a tool for investors who have a bearish outlook on energy. Factors such as oil prices, geopolitical events, and changes in energy demand can significantly impact DUG's performance. In a rising energy market, DUG is expected to decline, while a falling energy market should lead to gains. However, the leveraged nature of the ETF means that these gains and losses will be amplified. Investors should carefully consider the current market environment and their own risk tolerance before investing in DUG. The competitive landscape includes other leveraged and inverse ETFs, but DUG specifically targets the energy sector.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is DUG and what does it track?

ProShares UltraShort Energy (DUG) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to provide daily investment results, before fees and expenses, corresponding to two times the inverse (-2x) of the daily performance of the S&P Energy Select Sector Index. This means that DUG is designed to increase in value when the energy sector declines and decrease in value when the energy sector rises. It achieves this through the use of financial derivatives. Due to its leveraged and inverse nature, DUG is intended for short-term trading and is not suitable for long-term investment strategies.

### What is the expense ratio for DUG?

The expense ratio for ProShares UltraShort Energy (DUG) is 1.41%. This means that for every $10,000 invested in DUG, $141 is deducted annually to cover the fund's operating expenses. This expense ratio is considerably higher than the average expense ratio for equity ETFs, which is around 0.44%. The higher expense ratio reflects the complexity of managing a leveraged and inverse ETF, which involves the use of derivatives and frequent portfolio adjustments.

### What are the top holdings in DUG?

As an inverse and leveraged ETF, DUG does not hold traditional stocks like a typical equity ETF. Instead, its holdings primarily consist of cash and derivative instruments, such as swap agreements, used to achieve its -2x daily inverse objective. Currently, the fund's sector allocation is 100% in Cash & Others. These derivatives are designed to replicate the inverse performance of the S&P Energy Select Sector Index. Therefore, it's not possible to list 'top holdings' in the conventional sense for DUG.

### Is DUG a good long-term investment?

ProShares UltraShort Energy (DUG) is generally not considered a suitable long-term investment. Its leveraged and inverse nature, combined with a daily reset, can lead to significant erosion of capital over time, especially in volatile markets. The fund is designed for short-term tactical trading to profit from anticipated declines in the energy sector. With an expense ratio of 1.41% and a beta of -0.73, DUG's performance is highly sensitive to daily market movements. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

### How does DUG compare to similar ETFs?

DUG is unique in that it offers -2x leveraged inverse exposure specifically to the S&P Energy Select Sector Index. Other similar ETFs might offer inverse exposure to the energy sector, but with different leverage ratios or tracking different indexes. DUG's expense ratio of 1.41% is relatively high compared to non-leveraged ETFs. Its AUM of $0.01B is also relatively small, which can impact liquidity. Investors should compare DUG's leverage, index tracking, expense ratio, and liquidity with other inverse energy ETFs to determine the best fit for their investment strategy.

### Does DUG pay dividends?

Yes, ProShares UltraShort Energy (DUG) has a dividend yield of 5.08%. It is important to note that the dividend yield for an inverse ETF like DUG can be influenced by various factors, including the performance of the underlying index and the fund's use of derivatives. The dividend payments may not be consistent and can vary over time. Investors should not rely solely on the dividend yield when evaluating DUG.

## Data Sources

- Yahoo Finance (ETF bundle)
- Issuer prospectus
- Stock Expert AI proprietary analysis

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