METD vs. SPXS

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

METD (Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF) and SPXS (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares) are both Inverse Equities funds from Direxion. METD is actively managed, while SPXS is passively managed. Over the past year, METD returned -2.77% vs -41.05% for SPXS. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. METD charges 1.00%/yr vs 1.08%/yr for SPXS.

Performance

METD vs. SPXS - 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 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, METD achieves a -7.12% return, which is significantly higher than SPXS's -24.88% return.

METD

• 1D: 2.39%
• 1M: -11.46%
• 6M: -12.68%
• YTD: -7.12%
• 1Y: -2.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPXS

• 1D: 1.67%
• 1M: -0.21%
• 6M: -21.79%
• YTD: -24.88%
• 1Y: -41.05%
• 3Y*: -39.52%
• 5Y*: -33.62%
• 10Y*: -41.24%

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

METD vs. SPXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
METD Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF	-7.12%	-17.33%	-15.84%
SPXS Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares	-24.88%	-41.53%	-24.97%

Correlation

The correlation between METD and SPXS is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2024	0.57

The correlation between METD and SPXS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

METD vs. SPXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

METD

METD Risk / Return Rank: 9
METD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
METD Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
METD Omega Ratio Rank: 10
METD Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
METD Martin Ratio Rank: 8

SPXS

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

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. SPXS - 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 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS). 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.

	METD	SPXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.07	-1.09	+1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.17	-1.69	+1.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	0.82	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.11	-0.94	+0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.24	-1.62	+1.38

METD vs. SPXS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current METD Sharpe Ratio is -0.07, which is higher than the SPXS Sharpe Ratio of -1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of METD and SPXS, 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

METD vs. SPXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum METD drawdown since its inception was -46.03%, smaller than the maximum SPXS drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for METD and SPXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	METD	SPXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.03%	-100.00%	+53.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.03%	-43.64%	+17.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-84.13%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-90.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-40.30%	-100.00%	+59.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.76%	-96.31%	+67.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.56%	25.40%	-13.84%

Volatility

METD vs. SPXS - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF (METD) has a higher volatility of 16.33% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS) at 10.70%. This indicates that METD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPXS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	METD	SPXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.33%	10.70%	+5.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.74%	30.07%	+1.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.00%	37.65%	+1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.46%	50.74%	-13.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.46%	53.50%	-16.04%

METD vs. SPXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

METD has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXS's 1.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

METD vs. SPXS - Dividend Comparison

METD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.97%, less than SPXS's 4.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
METD Direxion Daily META Bear 1X ETF	2.97%	3.35%	2.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXS Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares	4.52%	4.93%	6.18%	5.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.51%	1.74%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both METD and SPXS in my portfolio?

METD and SPXS have a correlation of 0.55, 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 SPXS?

METD has higher volatility (16.33%) compared to SPXS (10.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, METD dropped -46.03% vs SPXS's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, METD or SPXS?

On 1-year performance, METD leads with -2.77% vs -41.05% for SPXS. On fees, METD is cheaper at 1.00% per year. On volatility, SPXS has been the lower-risk option at 10.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, METD or SPXS?

Over the 1-year period, METD has performed better with a -2.77% return vs -41.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, METD or SPXS?

METD is cheaper with a 1.00% expense ratio, compared with 1.08% for SPXS.

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

SPXS has the higher dividend yield at 4.52%, compared with 2.97% for METD.

What is the main difference between METD and SPXS?

Their fees differ too: 1.00% for METD and 1.08% for SPXS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

METD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.07 vs -1.09), 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.