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ProShares Short Financials (SEF)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
04/01/2025: SEF (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit -22.18% | Avg. Invested days 29 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | ETF Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Volume (30-day avg) 17153 | Beta -1.01 | 52 Weeks Range 32.67 - 41.38 | Updated Date 04/2/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 32.67 - 41.38 | Updated Date 04/2/2025 |
Upturn AI SWOT
ProShares Short Financials
ETF Overview
Overview
The ProShares Short Financials (SEF) seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to the inverse (-1x) of the daily performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index. It is designed for investors seeking to profit from a decline in the financial sector.
Reputation and Reliability
ProShares is a well-known issuer of leveraged and inverse ETFs, with a solid track record in managing such products.
Management Expertise
ProShares has extensive experience in managing inverse and leveraged ETFs, requiring expertise in derivatives and active portfolio management.
Investment Objective
Goal
To provide daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to the inverse (-1x) of the daily performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index.
Investment Approach and Strategy
Strategy: The ETF employs a strategy of using derivatives, such as swap agreements, to achieve its inverse exposure to the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index on a daily basis.
Composition The ETF primarily holds swap agreements and other derivatives designed to provide the inverse of the index's daily performance. It may also hold a small portion of cash or money market instruments.
Market Position
Market Share: The ProShares Short Financials (SEF) holds a small market share within the inverse financial sector ETFs.
Total Net Assets (AUM): 28790000
Competitors
Key Competitors
- Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ)
- ProShares UltraShort Financials (SKF)
Competitive Landscape
The competitive landscape is dominated by leveraged and inverse ETFs. FAZ and SKF have significantly larger AUM than SEF. SEF offers only -1x exposure, while its competitors offer more aggressive leveraged options, impacting their risk/reward profiles.
Financial Performance
Historical Performance: Due to its inverse nature and the long-term upward trend of the stock market, its historical performance is generally negative. Specific historical performance data would need to be sourced from financial data providers.
Benchmark Comparison: The ETF's performance should be compared to the inverse of the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index's daily performance. Due to compounding effects, performance over longer periods might deviate significantly from the simple inverse.
Expense Ratio: 0.95
Liquidity
Average Trading Volume
The average trading volume for SEF is relatively low, making it somewhat less liquid compared to more popular ETFs.
Bid-Ask Spread
The bid-ask spread can be relatively wide, especially during less active trading hours, indicating a potential cost to trading this ETF.
Market Dynamics
Market Environment Factors
The ETF's performance is highly sensitive to economic indicators, interest rate changes, and regulatory developments affecting the financial sector. Negative news or economic downturns are generally favorable for this ETF.
Growth Trajectory
The growth trajectory depends on the outlook for the financial sector; periods of economic uncertainty or financial sector weakness can lead to increased interest and AUM, although due to the nature of the ETF any such increases are generally short term.
Moat and Competitive Advantages
Competitive Edge
SEFu2019s -1x inverse exposure offers a less aggressive way to bet against the financials sector compared to leveraged competitors. This can be advantageous for investors with a moderate risk tolerance wanting to hedge their existing portfolio or express a bearish view. ProShares reputation lends some credibility, however it does not fundamentally differentiate the product. SEFu2019s advantages are constrained by market conditions due to its single inverse exposure, and other funds may generate more return.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
The ETF experiences significant volatility due to its inverse nature and the inherent volatility of the financial sector. Daily rebalancing can also contribute to volatility.
Market Risk
The ETF is exposed to significant market risk as its performance is directly tied to the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index. Unexpected positive performance in the financial sector would result in losses.
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
This ETF is suitable for sophisticated investors with a short-term, tactical view on the financial sector. It is best used for hedging purposes or expressing a bearish outlook.
Market Risk
This ETF is generally not suitable for long-term investors due to the effects of compounding and the potential for significant losses over time. It is better suited for active traders seeking short-term gains.
Summary
ProShares Short Financials (SEF) offers a way to profit from a decline in the financial sector. It is designed for short-term tactical plays rather than long-term investments due to the nature of inverse ETFs. It faces competition from leveraged funds like FAZ and SKF that have a larger market share. Investors should carefully consider the risks associated with inverse ETFs and the financial sector before investing.
Similar Companies
FAZ

Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares


FAZ

Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares

FINS

Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust



FINS

Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust
IYF

iShares U.S. Financials ETF


IYF

iShares U.S. Financials ETF
SKF

ProShares UltraShort Financials


SKF

ProShares UltraShort Financials
XLF

Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund


XLF

Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- ProShares website
- ETF.com
- Morningstar
- Bloomberg
Disclaimers:
The data and analysis provided are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Investment decisions should be based on your own research and financial situation.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About ProShares Short Financials
Exchange NYSE ARCA | Headquaters - | ||
IPO Launch date - | CEO - | ||
Sector - | Industry - | Full time employees - | Website |
Full time employees - | Website |
The fund invests in financial instruments that ProShare Advisors believes, in combination, should produce daily returns consistent with the Daily Target. The index is one of eleven S&P Select Sector Indices, each designed to measure the performance of a sector of the S&P 500. Under normal circumstances, the fund will obtain inverse exposure to at least 80% of its total assets in components of the index or in instruments with similar economic characteristics. The fund is non-diversified.
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.