DXHYX vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DXHYX (Direxion Monthly High Yield Bull 1.2X Fund) and SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) are both funds - DXHYX is a Leveraged Bonds fund managed by Direxion, while SPHY is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofAML US High Yield Index. Over the past 5 years, DXHYX returned 1.92%/yr vs 4.39%/yr for SPHY. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DXHYX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for SPHY.

Performance

DXHYX vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Monthly High Yield Bull 1.2X Fund (DXHYX) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DXHYX achieves a 0.59% return, which is significantly lower than SPHY's 1.54% return.

DXHYX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 0.59%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 5.69%
• 3Y*: 6.93%
• 5Y*: 1.92%
• 10Y*: —

SPHY

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.54%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 7.16%
• 3Y*: 8.97%
• 5Y*: 4.39%
• 10Y*: 5.15%

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

DXHYX vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DXHYX Direxion Monthly High Yield Bull 1.2X Fund	0.59%	6.56%	6.47%	10.88%	-13.99%	3.00%	2.26%	12.61%	-3.82%	5.22%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.54%	8.59%	8.54%	12.81%	-10.57%	5.61%	6.65%	13.16%	-3.35%	6.73%

Correlation

The correlation between DXHYX and SPHY is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.80

The correlation between DXHYX and SPHY shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (all time) to 0.96 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DXHYX vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DXHYX

DXHYX Risk / Return Rank: 24
DXHYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
DXHYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
DXHYX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
DXHYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
DXHYX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPHY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

DXHYX vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Monthly High Yield Bull 1.2X Fund (DXHYX) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). 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.

	DXHYX	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.96	-0.65
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	2.98	-1.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.39	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.92	2.98	-1.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.96	13.52	-5.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DXHYX vs. SPHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DXHYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is lower than the SPHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DXHYX and SPHY, 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

	DXHYX	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	1.96	-0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.62	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.64	-0.33

Drawdowns

DXHYX vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DXHYX drawdown since its inception was -26.40%, which is greater than SPHY's maximum drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DXHYX and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DXHYX	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.40%	-21.97%	-4.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.03%	-2.41%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.42%	-4.85%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.67%	-15.29%	-3.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.22%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.70%	-2.29%	-1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	0.53%	+0.20%

Volatility

DXHYX vs. SPHY - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Monthly High Yield Bull 1.2X Fund (DXHYX) has a higher volatility of 1.44% compared to SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) at 1.14%. This indicates that DXHYX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DXHYX	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.44%	1.14%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.40%	2.91%	+0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.39%	3.68%	+0.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.47%	7.17%	+1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.35%	7.89%	+1.46%

DXHYX vs. SPHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DXHYX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPHY's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

DXHYX vs. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

DXHYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.58%, less than SPHY's 7.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DXHYX Direxion Monthly High Yield Bull 1.2X Fund	3.58%	4.32%	4.75%	6.08%	12.11%	2.06%	6.32%	9.95%	4.99%	3.57%	0.00%	0.00%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.27%	7.38%	7.80%	7.30%	6.47%	5.13%	5.63%	5.73%	4.09%	4.41%	4.27%	4.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DXHYX and SPHY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, DXHYX and SPHY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DXHYX or SPHY?

DXHYX has higher volatility (1.44%) compared to SPHY (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DXHYX dropped -26.40% vs SPHY's -21.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.30), 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.