AAPD vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AAPD (Direxion Daily AAPL Bear 1X Shares) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAPD is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the Apple Inc. (-100%), while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AAPD returned -14.13%/yr vs 46.39%/yr for SPXL. At a correlation of -0.63, they often move in opposite directions. AAPD charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

AAPD vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily AAPL Bear 1X Shares (AAPD) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAPD achieves a -8.23% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 17.21% return.

AAPD

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 4.32%
• YTD: -8.23%
• 6M: -7.92%
• 1Y: -31.35%
• 3Y*: -14.13%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: -4.48%
• 1M: -5.53%
• YTD: 17.21%
• 6M: 13.86%
• 1Y: 62.56%
• 3Y*: 46.39%
• 5Y*: 20.70%
• 10Y*: 30.27%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAPD vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AAPD Direxion Daily AAPL Bear 1X Shares	-8.23%	-11.41%	-21.45%	-30.42%	20.24%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	17.21%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-26.67%

Correlation

The correlation between AAPD and SPXL is -0.50, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 9, 2022	-0.63

The correlation between AAPD and SPXL shifts across timeframes, from -0.63 (all time) to -0.50 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AAPD vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAPD

AAPD Risk / Return Rank: 1
AAPD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
AAPD Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
AAPD Omega Ratio Rank: 0
AAPD Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
AAPD Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 49
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 56

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAPD vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily AAPL Bear 1X Shares (AAPD) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AAPD	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.39	1.69	-3.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.98	2.15	-4.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.76	1.28	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.88	2.35	-3.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.38	9.57	-10.95

AAPD vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAPD Sharpe Ratio is -1.39, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAPD and SPXL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAPD vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAPD drawdown since its inception was -59.79%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAPD and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAPD	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.79%	-76.86%	+17.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.88%	-26.77%	-9.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-49.07%	-48.95%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-63.80%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-76.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-57.22%	-10.44%	-46.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.48%	-16.09%	-18.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	22.76%	6.56%	+16.20%

Volatility

AAPD vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily AAPL Bear 1X Shares (AAPD) is 6.84%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 14.70%. This indicates that AAPD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAPD	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	14.70%	-7.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.67%	29.55%	-12.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.59%	37.43%	-14.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.97%	50.54%	-23.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.97%	53.47%	-26.50%

AAPD vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAPD has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAPD vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

AAPD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.66%, more than SPXL's 0.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAPD Direxion Daily AAPL Bear 1X Shares	2.65%	3.60%	4.55%	4.37%	0.53%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.35%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAPD and SPXL in my portfolio?

AAPD and SPXL have a correlation of -0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAPD or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (14.70%) compared to AAPD (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAPD dropped -59.79% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, AAPD or SPXL?

On 3-year performance, SPXL leads with 46.39% vs -14.13% for AAPD. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, AAPD has been the lower-risk option at 6.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAPD or SPXL?

Over the 3-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 46.39% return vs -14.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAPD or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for AAPD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAPD or SPXL?

AAPD has the higher dividend yield at 3.66%, compared with 0.57% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between AAPD and SPXL?

AAPD is categorized as Inverse Equities, while SPXL is Leveraged Equities. AAPD tracks Apple Inc. (-100%), while SPXL tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for AAPD and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs -1.39), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.