ERX vs. OILU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ERX (Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares) and OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - ERX is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index (300%), while OILU is a Leveraged Commodities fund managed by BMO. Over the past 3 years, ERX returned 23.69%/yr vs 10.60%/yr for OILU. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ERX charges 1.09%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for OILU.

Performance

ERX vs. OILU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ERX achieves a 66.93% return, which is significantly lower than OILU's 96.53% return.

ERX

• 1D: 2.68%
• 1M: -3.38%
• YTD: 66.93%
• 6M: 59.74%
• 1Y: 90.37%
• 3Y*: 23.69%
• 5Y*: 28.75%
• 10Y*: -8.79%

OILU

• 1D: 3.64%
• 1M: -10.84%
• YTD: 96.53%
• 6M: 77.49%
• 1Y: 115.83%
• 3Y*: 10.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ERX vs. OILU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares	66.93%	2.79%	1.09%	-12.26%	130.58%	-10.49%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	96.53%	-16.50%	-21.65%	-32.50%	151.08%	-17.87%

Correlation

The correlation between ERX and OILU is 0.99 - 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	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2021	0.98

The correlation between ERX and OILU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

ERX vs. OILU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ERX	OILU
Energy	100.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ERX vs. OILU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ERX

ERX Risk / Return Rank: 61
ERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
ERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ERX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
ERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
ERX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

OILU

OILU Risk / Return Rank: 52
OILU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
OILU Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
OILU Omega Ratio Rank: 42
OILU Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
OILU Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

ERX vs. OILU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). 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.

	ERX	OILU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	1.87	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.25	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.28	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.89	3.48	+0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.60	8.74	+1.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ERX vs. OILU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ERX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the OILU Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ERX and OILU, 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

	ERX	OILU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	1.87	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.13	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.09	0.17	-0.26

Drawdowns

ERX vs. OILU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ERX drawdown since its inception was -99.54%, which is greater than OILU's maximum drawdown of -81.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ERX and OILU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ERX	OILU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.54%	-81.00%	-18.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.34%	-33.51%	+10.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.34%	-69.09%	+26.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.90%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.59%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-91.57%	-47.14%	-44.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-67.02%	-50.59%	-16.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.57%	13.32%	-4.75%

Volatility

ERX vs. OILU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX) is 16.49%, while MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) has a volatility of 25.14%. This indicates that ERX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than OILU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ERX	OILU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.49%	25.14%	-8.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.45%	49.94%	-16.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.14%	62.23%	-21.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.98%	81.16%	-29.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	69.18%	81.16%	-11.98%

ERX vs. OILU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ERX has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is higher than OILU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

ERX vs. OILU - Dividend Comparison

ERX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, while OILU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares	1.61%	2.54%	2.94%	3.17%	2.23%	2.16%	2.35%	1.56%	3.10%	0.85%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ERX and OILU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, ERX and OILU 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, ERX or OILU?

OILU has higher volatility (25.14%) compared to ERX (16.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ERX dropped -99.54% vs OILU's -81.00%.

Which ETF is better, ERX or OILU?

On 3-year performance, ERX leads with 23.69% vs 10.60% for OILU. On fees, OILU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, ERX has been the lower-risk option at 16.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ERX or OILU?

Over the 3-year period, ERX has performed better with a 23.69% return vs 10.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ERX or OILU?

OILU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for ERX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ERX or OILU?

ERX has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.00% for OILU.

What is the main difference between ERX and OILU?

ERX is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while OILU is Leveraged Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and BMO. Their fees differ too: 1.09% for ERX and 0.95% for OILU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ERX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.87), 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.