plain S&P 500 lags leveraged peers in comparison
VFV (plain S&P 500) is positioned as the inferior choice versus USSL for long-term total-return investors in the period shown, because the video claims the leveraged alternatives were ahead.
VFV serves as the baseline comparator and is positioned as the weaker total-return choice for long-term investors when measured against leveraged alternatives over the cited sample window. The underperformance case rests entirely on the leveraged structures being ahead during that specific period.
"Do Leveraged ETFs Make Sense for Long Term Income Investors? Total Returns = The Ultimate TRUTH"