BRKU vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BRKU (Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion. BRKU is actively managed, while SPXL is passively managed. Over the past year, BRKU returned -19.26% vs 81.54% for SPXL. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BRKU charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

BRKU vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares (BRKU) 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, BRKU achieves a -14.77% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 28.14% return.

BRKU

• 1D: 1.64%
• 1M: 2.08%
• YTD: -14.77%
• 6M: -16.17%
• 1Y: -19.26%
• 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)

BRKU vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BRKU Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares	-14.77%	6.44%	-3.96%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	28.14%	31.94%	-10.41%

Correlation

The correlation between BRKU and SPXL is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	0.28

The correlation between BRKU and SPXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRKU vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRKU

BRKU Risk / Return Rank: 2
BRKU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
BRKU Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BRKU Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BRKU Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
BRKU Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

BRKU vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares (BRKU) 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.

	BRKU	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.70	2.32	-3.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.84	2.78	-3.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.37	-0.47
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.88	3.06	-3.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.77	12.94	-14.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRKU vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRKU Sharpe Ratio is -0.70, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRKU 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BRKU	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.70	2.32	-3.02
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	-0.26	0.53	-0.79

Drawdowns

BRKU vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRKU drawdown since its inception was -35.37%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRKU and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRKU	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.37%	-76.86%	+41.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.06%	-26.77%	+4.71%
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	-33.11%	-2.08%	-31.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.87%	-15.72%	-3.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.14%	6.32%	+4.82%

Volatility

BRKU vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares (BRKU) is 7.19%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 8.49%. This indicates that BRKU 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

	BRKU	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.19%	8.49%	-1.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.67%	26.67%	-6.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.78%	35.39%	-7.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.42%	50.24%	-15.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.42%	53.42%	-19.00%

BRKU vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BRKU vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

BRKU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, more than SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRKU Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares	2.99%	2.44%	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 BRKU and SPXL in my portfolio?

BRKU and SPXL have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRKU or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (8.49%) compared to BRKU (7.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRKU dropped -35.37% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, BRKU or SPXL?

On 1-year performance, SPXL leads with 81.54% vs -19.26% for BRKU. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, BRKU has been the lower-risk option at 7.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BRKU or SPXL?

Over the 1-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 81.54% return vs -19.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BRKU or SPXL?

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

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

BRKU has the higher dividend yield at 2.99%, compared with 0.52% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between BRKU and SPXL?

Their fees differ too: 0.97% for BRKU and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs -0.70), 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.