KRE vs. SOXL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

KRE (SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KRE is a Financials Equities fund tracking the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index, while SOXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, KRE returned 9.20%/yr vs 63.20%/yr for SOXL. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KRE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SOXL.

Performance

KRE vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KRE achieves a 13.93% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 458.36% return. Over the past 10 years, KRE has underperformed SOXL with an annualized return of 9.20%, while SOXL has yielded a comparatively higher 63.20% annualized return.

KRE

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 9.62%
• YTD: 13.93%
• 6M: 10.76%
• 1Y: 33.87%
• 3Y*: 21.99%
• 5Y*: 4.16%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

SOXL

• 1D: 4.77%
• 1M: 42.94%
• YTD: 458.36%
• 6M: 462.65%
• 1Y: 1,075.10%
• 3Y*: 110.81%
• 5Y*: 43.69%
• 10Y*: 63.20%

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

KRE vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KRE SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF	13.93%	10.21%	18.58%	-7.61%	-15.08%	39.29%	-7.43%	27.44%	-18.81%	7.49%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	458.36%	54.91%	-12.31%	226.98%	-85.66%	118.84%	70.04%	231.83%	-39.07%	141.71%

Correlation

The correlation between KRE and SOXL is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2010	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between KRE and SOXL has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

KRE vs. SOXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

KRE vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

KRE

KRE Risk / Return Rank: 42
KRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
KRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
KRE Omega Ratio Rank: 42
KRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
KRE Martin Ratio Rank: 38

SOXL

SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

KRE vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	KRE	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	8.99	-7.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	4.23	-2.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.60	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	22.91	-20.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.29	74.51	-69.22

KRE vs. SOXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KRE Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is lower than the SOXL Sharpe Ratio of 8.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KRE and SOXL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

KRE vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KRE drawdown since its inception was -68.54%, smaller than the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KRE and SOXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	KRE	SOXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.54%	-90.46%	+21.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.95%	-43.47%	+28.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.20%	-87.88%	+59.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.69%	-90.46%	+37.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.92%	-90.46%	+35.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-16.35%	+16.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.87%	-34.99%	+13.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.75%	13.35%	-7.60%

Volatility

KRE vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) is 6.15%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 58.17%. This indicates that KRE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KRE	SOXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.15%	58.17%	-52.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.76%	93.93%	-78.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.37%	110.81%	-87.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.99%	108.96%	-78.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.93%	99.99%	-68.06%

KRE vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

KRE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

KRE vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison

KRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, more than SOXL's 0.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KRE SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF	2.14%	2.45%	2.59%	2.99%	2.51%	1.97%	2.78%	2.21%	2.48%	1.40%	1.40%	1.80%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	0.03%	0.34%	1.18%	0.51%	1.07%	0.04%	0.05%	0.38%	1.30%	0.09%	4.84%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KRE and SOXL in my portfolio?

KRE and SOXL have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KRE or SOXL?

SOXL has higher volatility (58.17%) compared to KRE (6.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KRE dropped -68.54% vs SOXL's -90.46%.

Which ETF is better, KRE or SOXL?

On 10-year performance, SOXL leads with 63.20% vs 9.20% for KRE. On fees, KRE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, KRE has been the lower-risk option at 6.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KRE or SOXL?

Over the 10-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 63.20% return vs 9.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KRE or SOXL?

KRE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SOXL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KRE or SOXL?

KRE has the higher dividend yield at 2.14%, compared with 0.03% for SOXL.

What is the main difference between KRE and SOXL?

KRE is categorized as Financials Equities, while SOXL is Leveraged Equities. KRE tracks S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index, while SOXL tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for KRE and 0.75% for SOXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.99 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.