EZJ vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EZJ (ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds - EZJ tracks the MSCI Japan Index (200%) while SPXL tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EZJ returned 10.56%/yr vs 30.15%/yr for SPXL. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EZJ charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

EZJ vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with EZJ having a 29.29% return and SPXL slightly higher at 29.52%. Over the past 10 years, EZJ has underperformed SPXL with an annualized return of 10.56%, while SPXL has yielded a comparatively higher 30.15% annualized return.

EZJ

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 10.56%
• YTD: 29.29%
• 6M: 28.96%
• 1Y: 58.99%
• 3Y*: 26.09%
• 5Y*: 7.76%
• 10Y*: 10.56%

SPXL

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 13.37%
• YTD: 29.52%
• 6M: 27.91%
• 1Y: 83.85%
• 3Y*: 53.71%
• 5Y*: 23.77%
• 10Y*: 30.15%

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

EZJ vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EZJ ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan	29.29%	42.72%	3.31%	30.78%	-38.23%	-1.96%	22.21%	33.76%	-30.99%	49.10%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	29.52%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-25.11%	71.03%

Correlation

The correlation between EZJ and SPXL is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2009	0.62

The correlation between EZJ and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

EZJ vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EZJ	SPXL
Industrials	26.0%	1.7%
Technology	19.1%	8.5%
Financial Services	17.6%	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	2.2%
Communication Services	7.9%	2.4%
Healthcare	6.2%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	1.1%
Basic Materials	3.0%	0.4%
Real Estate	2.3%	0.4%
Utilities	1.1%	0.6%
Energy	1.1%	0.8%

Return for Risk

EZJ vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

EZJ

EZJ Risk / Return Rank: 43
EZJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
EZJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
EZJ Omega Ratio Rank: 43
EZJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
EZJ Martin Ratio Rank: 43

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 67
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

EZJ vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan (EZJ) 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.

	EZJ	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.38	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.83	-0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.37	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	3.15	-0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.79	13.30	-6.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EZJ vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EZJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EZJ 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

	EZJ	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	2.38	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	0.48	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.57	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.53	-0.29

Drawdowns

EZJ vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EZJ drawdown since its inception was -58.63%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EZJ and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	EZJ	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.63%	-76.86%	+18.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.78%	-26.77%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.48%	-48.95%	+17.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.63%	-63.80%	+5.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-58.63%	-76.86%	+18.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.87%	-1.03%	-2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.28%	-15.72%	-5.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.72%	6.32%	+2.40%

Volatility

EZJ vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan (EZJ) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) have volatilities of 8.46% and 8.33%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EZJ	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.46%	8.33%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.74%	26.68%	+4.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.67%	35.37%	+4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.58%	50.23%	-13.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.53%	53.41%	-18.88%

EZJ vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

EZJ has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

EZJ vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

EZJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, more than SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EZJ ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan	1.60%	1.13%	2.09%	1.11%	0.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.24%	4.49%	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 EZJ and SPXL in my portfolio?

EZJ and SPXL have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EZJ or SPXL?

EZJ has higher volatility (8.46%) compared to SPXL (8.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EZJ dropped -58.63% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, EZJ or SPXL?

On 10-year performance, SPXL leads with 30.15% vs 10.56% for EZJ. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, SPXL has been the lower-risk option at 8.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EZJ or SPXL?

Over the 10-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 30.15% return vs 10.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EZJ or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for EZJ.

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

EZJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.60%, compared with 0.52% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between EZJ and SPXL?

EZJ tracks MSCI Japan Index (200%), while SPXL tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for EZJ and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.49), 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.