UYM ETF Explained: Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings & Alternative ETFs
The ProShares Ultra Materials UYM ETF is a leveraged product that targets the daily direction of the materials sector. It is sensitive to moves in chemicals, metals, and construction materials, so before holding it long term, investors should review its daily reset mechanism, quarterly distributions, and the outlook for the materials sector together.
What Is the ProShares Ultra Materials ETF?
The UYM ETF is a leveraged product designed to amplify the daily performance of the S&P Materials Select Sector Index. Its structure is highly sensitive to the direction of the materials sector, including chemicals, metals and mining, and construction materials.
It is suited to investors who have a view on the short-term direction of the materials sector and are able to manage the potential losses associated with daily volatility and leveraged exposure.
The ETF is passively managed (index-tracking) by ProShares.
How Does the ProShares Ultra Materials ETF Work?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracking Index | S&P Materials Select Sector Index |
| Management Style | Passive index tracking |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Daily target reset |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.95% |
| Issuer | ProShares |
The fund seeks to amplify the daily moves of an underlying index composed of materials-sector companies. As a result, performance can be affected by flows in chemicals, construction materials, packaging, metals and mining, and paper and forest products. Over longer holding periods, cumulative performance can deviate from the daily target.
- Leveraged structure focused on the daily direction of the materials sector
- Access to materials-sector exposure through a single ticker
ProShares Ultra Materials Size and Cost (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $37.5M, and the total expense ratio is 0.95% per year.
Before trading, investors should review not only the expense ratio but also bid-ask spreads and trading volume. In a daily-target leveraged structure, the longer the holding period, the more compounding effects and volatility can widen the gap between the intended exposure and the actual performance.
ProShares Ultra Materials Performance and Flows
The materials sector can be influenced by variables such as economic expectations, commodity prices, manufacturing activity, and supply-chain shifts. The return profile of the UYM ETF tends to swing more sharply than that of a plain-vanilla materials ETF because those variables combine with the daily moves of the underlying index.
Fund flows into leveraged products can shift with views on the materials sector's direction and with market-volatility sentiment. In particular, when short-term tactical demand picks up, trading interest can change, so it makes sense to check liquidity and trading costs together before buying.
Pros and Cons of the ProShares Ultra Materials ETF
The product can amplify short-term directional exposure to the materials sector, but the daily reset and volatility make long-term holding-period returns highly uncertain.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
ProShares Ultra Materials Alternative ETFs and Related Products
In the comparison table, the TQQQ ETF offers leveraged exposure to a large-cap technology-heavy index, and the SSO ETF tracks a U.S. large-cap equity index, while the SPXL ETF targets higher daily volatility exposure. The QLD ETF is a leveraged product tied to a tech-stock index. Because their underlying compositions differ from the materials-focused UYM ETF, when comparing them you should weigh the expense ratio, asset size, underlying index, leverage intensity, and suitability for your holding period together.
| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares UltraPro QQQ 3x Shares | $66.42 | -8.5% | $37.0B | 0.78% | 0.73% | +27.0% | |
| Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | $82.11 | -20.5% | $23.3B | 0.75% | 0.11% | +113.9% | |
| ProShares Ultra QQQ 2x Shares | $86.26 | -5.7% | $14.5B | 0.89% | 0.14% | +24.4% | |
| ProShares Ultra S&P500 2x Shares | $69.32 | -2.4% | $8.8B | 0.84% | 0.69% | +23.6% | |
| Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF | $280.41 | -3.6% | $7.2B | 0.84% | 0.52% | +32.7% |
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIN | Linde Plc | 0.20% | $510.44 | +2.0% | $235.3B | 33.0 | 1.26% |
| NEM | Newmont Corp | 0.11% | $114.11 | -2.6% | $120.2B | 14.4 | 0.91% |
| NUE | Nucor Corp | 0.05% | $258.06 | -2.5% | $58.5B | 20.6 | 0.87% |
| FCX | Freeport-McMoRan Inc | 0.08% | $64.59 | -6.3% | $92.8B | 31.9 | 0.92% |
| SHW | Sherwin-Williams Co | 0.03% | $345.63 | +2.5% | $83.9B | 31.9 | 0.86% |
| CRH | CRH Plc | 0.03% | $86.43 | +0.5% | $57.5B | 15.2 | 1.81% |
| VMC | Vulcan Materials Co | 0.03% | $268.72 | +1.5% | $34.8B | 31.7 | 0.78% |
ProShares Ultra Materials Investor Checklist
Before buying, you should form a view on the materials sector's direction and confirm that the leveraged structure fits your holding period. Because this product targets daily results, rather than treating it as a simple long-term materials-sector investment, it is better to set up a volatility-management plan first.
| Checklist | What to Verify | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | Review the total expense ratio and its impact on costs over long holding periods | Filings need to be checked |
| Liquidity | Check how trading volume and bid-ask spreads affect transaction costs | Needs to be checked before trading |
| Daily Reset | Monitor the potential divergence between the daily target and cumulative returns | Structure must be understood |
| Sector Variables | Confirm sensitivity to commodity prices and economic variables | Volatility management needed |
The materials sector can be affected by commodity prices, the economic cycle, supply chains, and geopolitical variables. Adding a daily leveraged structure on top of those drivers can magnize losses during unfavorable market moves, and over long holding periods the compounding effect can lead to cumulative results that differ from expectations.
The UYM ETF can be viewed as a tactical leveraged product focused on the daily direction of the materials sector. It carries risk characteristics that differ from those of a long-term core investment, so it should be used selectively after reviewing the nature of the underlying index, the expense ratio, liquidity, and your own loss tolerance. This article is intended for informational purposes and is not personalized financial advice.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of August 16, 2026.