METD vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

METD (Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - METD is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Direxion, while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. METD is actively managed, while SPXL is passively managed. Over the past year, METD returned 1.14% vs 81.54% for SPXL. At a correlation of -0.57, they often move in opposite directions. METD charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

METD vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF (METD) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, METD achieves a 1.66% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 28.14% return.

METD

• 1D: -4.20%
• 1M: -2.14%
• YTD: 1.66%
• 6M: -1.28%
• 1Y: 1.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 14.77%
• YTD: 28.14%
• 6M: 26.88%
• 1Y: 81.54%
• 3Y*: 52.83%
• 5Y*: 23.51%
• 10Y*: 30.20%

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

METD vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
METD Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF	1.66%	-17.33%	-15.84%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	28.14%	31.94%	22.29%

Correlation

The correlation between METD and SPXL is -0.56, 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	-0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2024	-0.57

The correlation between METD and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.57 to -0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

METD vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

METD

METD Risk / Return Rank: 10
METD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
METD Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
METD Omega Ratio Rank: 11
METD Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
METD Martin Ratio Rank: 9

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

METD vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF (METD) 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.

	METD	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.03	2.32	-2.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.29	2.78	-2.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.37	-0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.05	3.06	-3.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.11	12.94	-12.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

METD vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current METD Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of METD 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

	METD	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03	2.32	-2.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.44	0.53	-0.97

Drawdowns

METD vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum METD drawdown since its inception was -46.03%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for METD and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	METD	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.03%	-76.86%	+30.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.38%	-26.77%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-48.95%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-63.80%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-76.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-34.66%	-2.08%	-32.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.61%	-15.72%	-12.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.35%	6.32%	+5.03%

Volatility

METD vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF (METD) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) have volatilities of 8.85% and 8.49%, 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

	METD	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.85%	8.49%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.02%	26.67%	+0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.57%	35.39%	+0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.41%	50.24%	-13.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.41%	53.42%	-17.01%

METD vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

METD has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

METD vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

METD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
METD Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF	2.69%	3.35%	2.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 METD and SPXL in my portfolio?

METD and SPXL have a correlation of -0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, METD or SPXL?

METD has higher volatility (8.85%) compared to SPXL (8.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, METD dropped -46.03% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, METD or SPXL?

On 1-year performance, SPXL leads with 81.54% vs 1.14% for METD. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, SPXL has been the lower-risk option at 8.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, METD or SPXL?

Over the 1-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 81.54% return vs 1.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, METD or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for METD.

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

METD has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.52% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between METD and SPXL?

METD is categorized as Inverse Equities, while SPXL is Leveraged Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for METD and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 0.03), 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.