AAPU vs. XTJL

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AAPU (Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares) and XTJL (Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July) are both Leveraged Equities funds. AAPU is passively managed, while XTJL is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, AAPU returned 22.71%/yr vs 14.82%/yr for XTJL. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AAPU charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for XTJL.

Performance

AAPU vs. XTJL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) and Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July (XTJL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAPU achieves a 13.33% return, which is significantly higher than XTJL's 7.13% return.

AAPU

• 1D: -3.64%
• 1M: -4.76%
• 6M: 16.42%
• YTD: 13.33%
• 1Y: 93.91%
• 3Y*: 22.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.81%

XTJL

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: 1.73%
• 6M: 5.94%
• YTD: 7.13%
• 1Y: 15.15%
• 3Y*: 14.82%
• 5Y*: 9.71%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.91%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	$95.46M	$84.08M	$76.55M
XTJL Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July	$14.44K	$25.47K	$270.54K

AAPU vs. XTJL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	13.33%	-2.91%	58.45%	68.66%	-32.44%
XTJL Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July	7.13%	15.42%	14.43%	25.72%	-2.29%

Correlation

The correlation between AAPU and XTJL is 0.39, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 9, 2022	0.57

The correlation between AAPU and XTJL shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.57 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AAPU vs. XTJL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AAPU	XTJL
Technology	100.0%	39.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Communication Services	-	10.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Financial Services	-	10.9%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

AAPU vs. XTJL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AAPU

AAPU Risk / Return Rank: 74
AAPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
AAPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
AAPU Omega Ratio Rank: 75
AAPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AAPU Martin Ratio Rank: 60

XTJL

XTJL Risk / Return Rank: 85
XTJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
XTJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XTJL Omega Ratio Rank: 89
XTJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
XTJL Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AAPU vs. XTJL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) and Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July (XTJL). 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.

	AAPU	XTJL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	1.97	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	2.93	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.43	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	2.97	+0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.45	16.39	-8.93

AAPU vs. XTJL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAPU Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the XTJL Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAPU and XTJL, 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

AAPU vs. XTJL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAPU drawdown since its inception was -58.61%, which is greater than XTJL's maximum drawdown of -23.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAPU and XTJL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAPU	XTJL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.61%	-23.24%	-35.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.90%	-5.12%	-23.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.61%	-16.70%	-41.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.19%	0.00%	-21.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.30%	-3.92%	-13.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.64%	0.93%	+11.71%

Volatility

AAPU vs. XTJL - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) has a higher volatility of 21.88% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July (XTJL) at 2.98%. This indicates that AAPU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XTJL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAPU	XTJL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.88%	2.98%	+18.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.74%	6.16%	+35.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.65%	7.75%	+43.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.09%	15.12%	+34.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.09%	15.03%	+35.06%

AAPU vs. XTJL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAPU has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than XTJL's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAPU vs. XTJL - Dividend Comparison

AAPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.90%, while XTJL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	7.90%	8.66%	14.58%	2.32%	0.79%
XTJL Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAPU and XTJL in my portfolio?

AAPU and XTJL have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAPU or XTJL?

AAPU has higher volatility (21.88%) compared to XTJL (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAPU dropped -58.61% vs XTJL's -23.24%.

Which ETF is better, AAPU or XTJL?

On 3-year performance, AAPU leads with 22.71% vs 14.82% for XTJL. On fees, XTJL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, XTJL has been the lower-risk option at 2.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAPU or XTJL?

Over the 3-year period, AAPU has performed better with a 22.71% return vs 14.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAPU or XTJL?

XTJL is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for AAPU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAPU or XTJL?

AAPU has the higher dividend yield at 7.90%, compared with 0.00% for XTJL.

What is the main difference between AAPU and XTJL?

They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for AAPU and 0.79% for XTJL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTJL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.83), 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.