BABU vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BABU (Direxion Daily BABA Bull 2X ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - BABU tracks the Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) while SPXL tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BABU charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

BABU vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily BABA Bull 2X ETF (BABU) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

BABU

• 1D: -5.41%
• 1M: -11.25%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 14.77%
• YTD: 28.14%
• 6M: 26.88%
• 1Y: 81.54%
• 3Y*: 52.83%
• 5Y*: 23.51%
• 10Y*: 30.20%

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

BABU vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
BABU Direxion Daily BABA Bull 2X ETF	-44.84%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	24.61%

Correlation

The correlation between BABU and SPXL is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2026	0.55

Return for Risk

BABU vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

BABU vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily BABA Bull 2X ETF (BABU) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BABU	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-1.05	0.53	-1.58

Drawdowns

BABU vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BABU drawdown since its inception was -49.17%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BABU and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BABU	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.17%	-76.86%	+27.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-26.77%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-48.95%	—
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	-44.84%	-2.08%	-42.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.05%	-15.72%	-19.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	6.32%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BABU	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.49%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	26.67%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	82.22%	35.39%	+46.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	82.22%	50.24%	+31.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	82.22%	53.42%	+28.80%

BABU vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BABU has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

BABU vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

BABU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BABU Direxion Daily BABA Bull 2X ETF	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.52%	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 BABU and SPXL in my portfolio?

BABU and SPXL have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BABU or SPXL?

On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BABU or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for BABU.

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

SPXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.52%, compared with 0.36% for BABU.

What is the main difference between BABU and SPXL?

BABU tracks Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA), while SPXL tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for BABU and 0.84% for SPXL.