SSO is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 index.
It is designed as a leveraged investment vehicle that seeks to deliver twice the daily return of its benchmark index.
Updated: February 19, 2026, 16:00 EST
Technical Perspective SSO exhibits strong positive momentum, having recovered significantly from prior drawdowns and now trading near its 52-week high. While this signals robust bullish sentiment aligned with its 2x leveraged objective, it also raises overbought concerns. Potential investors must be cautious of amplified volatility at elevated price levels, particularly given its structure as a daily reset instrument.
Valuation & Fundamentals Valuation metrics are challenging to interpret due to limited comparable data. The elevated forward P/E of 73.2 suggests expectations of decreased earnings, though without industry benchmarks, the relative attractiveness remains unclear. As a leveraged ETF, traditional fundamental analysis using financial statements does not apply, and its value is directly tied to the performance of the S&P 500 index.
Risk Assessment SSO carries substantial risk, primarily from its high beta of 2.03, which can lead to sharp drawdowns in volatile or declining markets. Though short interest is low, structural risks like daily compounding and tracking error make it inappropriate for long-term, passive holdings. It suits only investors with high risk tolerance and active management capability.
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SSO is a speculative buy strictly for investors with a strong bullish short-term outlook on the S&P 500 and the ability to tolerate significant volatility. Its leveraged structure amplifies gains during uptrends but exposes holders to steep losses if momentum reverses. Given its proximity to yearly highs and inherent compounding risks, it should only be used tactically and with strict risk management—not as a core portfolio holding.
Based on the analysis provided, the 12-month outlook for SSO is highly speculative and entirely dependent on the direction of the S&P 500.
* Key Catalysts: The primary catalysts for gains would be a sustained bull market in the S&P 500, driven by factors like falling interest rates, resilient corporate earnings, and a "soft landing" for the economy. SSO's 2x leverage would amplify these gains. * Potential Risks: The most significant risk is a market correction or heightened volatility, which would be magnified by the fund's structure. The daily reset mechanism makes it unsuitable for long-term holding, as volatility decay can erode value even in a flat market over 12 months. * Target Price: Given the leveraged and tactical nature of SSO, a specific 12-month target is not appropriate. The price is a direct function of the S&P 500's performance. Investors should focus on the broader market outlook rather than a price target for this instrument.
In summary, SSO is a tactical tool for aggressive, short-term bullish bets, not a long-term investment. The 12-month outlook is exceptionally high-risk.
Most Wall Street analysts are optimistic about ProShares Ultra S&P500's 12-month outlook, with consensus target around $57.82, indicating expected upside potential.
Overall, SSO has investment potential but also faces challenges. Here are key factors to weigh before investing.
SSO has exhibited strong upside performance over the past year, approaching its 52-week high while maintaining positive momentum. Given its high beta, this leveraged ETF has amplified underlying market gains, resulting in significant recovery from its maximum drawdown.
Short-term performance shows steady appreciation, with SSO posting gains over both one and three months. It has marginally outperformed the market benchmark over the three-month period, which aligns with its objective of delivering twice the daily return of the S&P 500. The consistency of positive returns suggests sustained bullish sentiment.
The current price sits near the upper bound of its 52-week range, approximately 96% of the way to its high. This proximity to the peak, coupled with the substantial distance from its 52-week low, indicates a potentially overbought condition. Investors should be mindful of increased volatility inherent to this leveraged instrument at these elevated levels.
| Period | SSO Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | +1.5% | +1.0% |
| 3m | +2.2% | +1.9% |
| 6m | +10.3% | +6.5% |
| 1y | +16.4% | +12.1% |
| ytd | -0.5% | +0.2% |
Based on the information provided, a fundamental analysis cannot be conducted for SSO as no financial data is available.
The quarterly report and financial ratios are essential prerequisites for evaluating a company's revenue, profitability, and financial health. Without this data, it is impossible to assess key metrics such as growth, margins, or debt levels.
To proceed with an analysis, please provide SSO's financial statements, including the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows.
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Try Now & Get Tesla Stock RewardBased on SSO's valuation metrics, determination is limited due to missing comparisons. The trailing P/E of 26.77 presents a basic picture, but the extremely high forward P/E of 73.2 suggests anticipated earnings are expected to decline significantly. The absence of industry average data makes a definitive assessment of whether this is overvalued or undervalued impossible.
A peer comparison cannot be performed as no industry average data is available. Without benchmark metrics for P/E, P/B, or other ratios relative to its sector or comparable leveraged ETFs, it is not possible to contextualize SSO's valuation level against its peers. This lack of comparative data is a significant limitation for this analysis.
Volatility Risk: SSO carries exceptionally high volatility risk as evidenced by its beta of 2.03, indicating it is expected to move more than twice as much as the broader market. This amplified movement is clearly demonstrated by its significant one-year maximum drawdown of -34.78%, highlighting substantial price erosion potential during market downturns.
Other Risks: The fund's negligible short interest suggests minimal concern over concentrated bearish bets. However, its inherent structure as a leveraged ETF introduces significant compounding risk and tracking error over longer holding periods, making it unsuitable for buy-and-hold strategies despite its apparent liquidity.
Bearish for most investors - SSO appears overbought near its 52-week high with amplified risks. While it offers 2x S&P 500 exposure during uptrends, it carries significant volatility decay and compounding risks that erode returns over time. This leveraged ETF is suitable only for sophisticated traders who understand daily rebalancing mechanics and can actively manage positions, not long-term investors.
Based on the incomplete data provided, SSO appears to be overvalued. The extremely high forward P/E of 73.2 is the most telling metric, indicating that the market price anticipates a severe decline in future earnings. While the trailing P/E of 26.77 provides some context, the dramatic escalation to the forward P/E suggests inflated expectations and a high price relative to its projected profits. Without industry averages for a precise benchmark, the valuation conclusion is primarily based on the stark contrast between its current and forward-looking earnings multiples.
Based on the provided information about this leveraged ETF, the key risks are:
1. Compounding Risk: The daily reset mechanism of leveraged ETFs causes significant tracking error and potential long-term underperformance versus twice the underlying index return, making it unsuitable for holding periods beyond a single day.
2. Volatility Risk: With a beta of 2.03, SSO is highly susceptible to amplified price swings, as evidenced by its maximum drawdown of -34.78%, leading to substantial capital erosion during market declines.
3. Market Timing Risk: Trading near its 52-week high (96% of peak) increases vulnerability to a reversal, where leveraged exposure would magnify losses from any market pullback.
4. Structural Risk: The fund's design inherently carries the risk of accelerated decay during volatile or sideways markets, which can permanently impair value independent of the underlying index's direction.
Based on the tactical and leveraged nature of the ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO), a specific 2026 price forecast is highly unreliable and not recommended, as its value is entirely dependent on the daily performance of the S&P 500.
* Target Price: Any potential range (e.g., a base case of $45-$110) is purely illustrative of the extreme volatility and is not a meaningful target due to the corrosive effects of volatility decay on long-term holdings. * Key Growth Drivers: The sole driver for SSO is the performance of the S&P 500 index, amplified by its 2x daily leverage. * Main Assumptions: This assumes no prolonged bear market and that the S&P 500 experiences net positive growth by 2026. * Uncertainty: The forecast is exceptionally uncertain; SSO is designed for short-term trading and is highly susceptible to significant erosion of value over multi-year periods due to volatility, making it an unsuitable vehicle for a 2026 outlook.