GGLS vs. AVUQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GGLS (Direxion Daily GOOGL Bear 1X Shares) and AVUQ (Avantis U.S. Quality ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GGLS is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the Alphabet Inc. Class A (--100%), while AVUQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Avantis Investors. GGLS is passively managed, while AVUQ is actively managed. Over the past year, GGLS returned -55.43% vs 30.44% for AVUQ. At a correlation of -0.61, they often move in opposite directions. GGLS charges 1.09%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AVUQ.

Performance

GGLS vs. AVUQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily GOOGL Bear 1X Shares (GGLS) and Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GGLS achieves a -14.40% return, which is significantly lower than AVUQ's 11.23% return.

GGLS

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 6.67%
• YTD: -14.40%
• 6M: -12.57%
• 1Y: -55.43%
• 3Y*: -31.29%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVUQ

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 4.87%
• YTD: 11.23%
• 6M: 11.01%
• 1Y: 30.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GGLS vs. AVUQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GGLS Direxion Daily GOOGL Bear 1X Shares	-14.40%	-50.35%
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	11.23%	22.52%

Correlation

The correlation between GGLS and AVUQ is -0.58, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2025	-0.61

The correlation between GGLS and AVUQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.61 to -0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GGLS vs. AVUQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GGLS

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

AVUQ

AVUQ Risk / Return Rank: 56
AVUQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
AVUQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AVUQ Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AVUQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
AVUQ Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

GGLS vs. AVUQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily GOOGL Bear 1X Shares (GGLS) and Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ). 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.

	GGLS	AVUQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.91	2.00	-3.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-3.07	2.70	-5.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.63	1.35	-0.72
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.92	2.63	-3.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.35	10.45	-11.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GGLS vs. AVUQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GGLS Sharpe Ratio is -1.91, which is lower than the AVUQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GGLS and AVUQ, 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

	GGLS	AVUQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.91	2.00	-3.91
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.95	1.55	-2.50

Drawdowns

GGLS vs. AVUQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GGLS drawdown since its inception was -81.24%, which is greater than AVUQ's maximum drawdown of -11.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GGLS and AVUQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GGLS	AVUQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.24%	-11.86%	-69.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-60.43%	-11.61%	-48.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-73.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.97%	-0.96%	-78.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-46.86%	-2.08%	-44.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	41.18%	2.92%	+38.26%

Volatility

GGLS vs. AVUQ - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily GOOGL Bear 1X Shares (GGLS) has a higher volatility of 8.19% compared to Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) at 3.61%. This indicates that GGLS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GGLS	AVUQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.19%	3.61%	+4.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.23%	11.59%	+9.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.17%	15.30%	+13.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.27%	19.42%	+11.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.27%	19.42%	+11.85%

GGLS vs. AVUQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

GGLS has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUQ's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

GGLS vs. AVUQ - Dividend Comparison

GGLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than AVUQ's 0.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	0.35%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GGLS Direxion Daily GOOGL Bear 1X Shares	4.93%	4.87%	4.31%	5.80%	0.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GGLS and AVUQ in my portfolio?

GGLS and AVUQ have a correlation of -0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GGLS or AVUQ?

GGLS has higher volatility (8.19%) compared to AVUQ (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GGLS dropped -81.24% vs AVUQ's -11.86%.

Which ETF is better, GGLS or AVUQ?

On 1-year performance, AVUQ leads with 30.44% vs -55.43% for GGLS. On fees, AVUQ is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AVUQ has been the lower-risk option at 3.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GGLS or AVUQ?

Over the 1-year period, AVUQ has performed better with a 30.44% return vs -55.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GGLS or AVUQ?

AVUQ is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for GGLS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GGLS or AVUQ?

GGLS has the higher dividend yield at 4.93%, compared with 0.35% for AVUQ.

What is the main difference between GGLS and AVUQ?

GGLS is categorized as Inverse Equities, while AVUQ is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Avantis Investors. Their fees differ too: 1.09% for GGLS and 0.15% for AVUQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs -1.91), 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.