LTL vs. SPUU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LTL (ProShares Ultra Telecommunications) and SPUU (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2x Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds - LTL tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index (200%) while SPUU tracks the S&P 500 Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LTL returned 9.43%/yr vs 24.77%/yr for SPUU. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LTL charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.64%/yr for SPUU.

Performance

LTL vs. SPUU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Telecommunications (LTL) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2x Shares (SPUU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LTL achieves a -11.79% return, which is significantly lower than SPUU's 19.82% return. Over the past 10 years, LTL has underperformed SPUU with an annualized return of 9.43%, while SPUU has yielded a comparatively higher 24.77% annualized return.

LTL

• 1D: -2.50%
• 1M: -7.30%
• YTD: -11.79%
• 6M: -7.47%
• 1Y: 15.16%
• 3Y*: 36.33%
• 5Y*: 16.49%
• 10Y*: 9.43%

SPUU

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: 10.01%
• YTD: 19.82%
• 6M: 19.11%
• 1Y: 53.61%
• 3Y*: 38.21%
• 5Y*: 20.19%
• 10Y*: 24.77%

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

LTL vs. SPUU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LTL ProShares Ultra Telecommunications	-11.79%	37.06%	65.15%	62.03%	-41.14%	40.42%	-3.25%	30.16%	-23.44%	-26.85%
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2x Shares	19.82%	26.55%	44.25%	47.28%	-38.72%	61.27%	21.85%	66.84%	-14.59%	44.33%

Correlation

The correlation between LTL and SPUU is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2014	0.60

The correlation between LTL and SPUU shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (all time) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

LTL vs. SPUU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LTL	SPUU
Communication Services	57.7%	4.6%
Technology	2.7%	16.5%
Basic Materials	-	0.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.0%
Energy	-	1.4%
Financial Services	-	4.8%
Healthcare	-	3.6%
Industrials	-	3.3%
Real Estate	-	0.8%
Utilities	-	1.1%

Return for Risk

LTL vs. SPUU — Risk / Return Rank

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

LTL

LTL Risk / Return Rank: 18
LTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
LTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
LTL Omega Ratio Rank: 17
LTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
LTL Martin Ratio Rank: 19

SPUU

SPUU Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPUU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SPUU Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SPUU Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SPUU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPUU Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

LTL vs. SPUU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Telecommunications (LTL) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2x Shares (SPUU). 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.

	LTL	SPUU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	2.26	-1.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	2.87	-1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.38	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.71	2.96	-2.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.10	13.06	-10.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LTL vs. SPUU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTL Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is lower than the SPUU Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTL and SPUU, 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

	LTL	SPUU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57	2.26	-1.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.61	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.69	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.15	0.63	-0.48

Drawdowns

LTL vs. SPUU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTL drawdown since its inception was -80.20%, which is greater than SPUU's maximum drawdown of -59.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTL and SPUU.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTL	SPUU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.20%	-59.35%	-20.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.43%	-18.19%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.37%	-35.18%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.60%	-46.59%	-6.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.15%	-59.35%	-4.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.89%	-1.27%	-13.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.66%	-9.51%	-19.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.25%	4.12%	+3.13%

Volatility

LTL vs. SPUU - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Telecommunications (LTL) has a higher volatility of 7.57% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2x Shares (SPUU) at 5.71%. This indicates that LTL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPUU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTL	SPUU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.57%	5.71%	+1.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.39%	18.09%	+1.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.85%	23.90%	+2.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.56%	33.46%	+1.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.96%	35.77%	+1.19%

LTL vs. SPUU - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTL has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPUU's 0.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

LTL vs. SPUU - Dividend Comparison

LTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than SPUU's 1.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTL ProShares Ultra Telecommunications	0.92%	0.64%	0.29%	0.97%	2.01%	1.14%	1.57%	0.83%	1.99%	1.96%	0.70%	1.55%
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2x Shares	1.34%	1.63%	0.55%	0.83%	0.88%	3.04%	8.03%	1.80%	5.50%	6.96%	8.08%	4.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTL and SPUU in my portfolio?

LTL and SPUU have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LTL or SPUU?

LTL has higher volatility (7.57%) compared to SPUU (5.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTL dropped -80.20% vs SPUU's -59.35%.

Which ETF is better, LTL or SPUU?

On 10-year performance, SPUU leads with 24.77% vs 9.43% for LTL. On fees, SPUU is cheaper at 0.64% per year. On volatility, SPUU has been the lower-risk option at 5.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LTL or SPUU?

Over the 10-year period, SPUU has performed better with a 24.77% return vs 9.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LTL or SPUU?

SPUU is cheaper with a 0.64% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for LTL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LTL or SPUU?

SPUU has the higher dividend yield at 1.34%, compared with 0.92% for LTL.

What is the main difference between LTL and SPUU?

LTL tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index (200%), while SPUU tracks S&P 500 Index (200%). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for LTL and 0.64% for SPUU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPUU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 0.57), 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.