METU vs. SPXL

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

METU (Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion. METU is actively managed, while SPXL is passively managed. Over the past year, METU returned -34.95% vs 54.60% for SPXL. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. METU charges 1.07%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

METU vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF (METU) 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, METU achieves a -14.71% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 24.15% return.

METU

• 1D: -3.71%
• 1M: 30.05%
• 6M: -9.56%
• YTD: -14.71%
• 1Y: -34.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: -2.31%
• 1M: 2.62%
• 6M: 17.57%
• YTD: 24.15%
• 1Y: 54.60%
• 3Y*: 44.34%
• 5Y*: 20.30%
• 10Y*: 28.76%

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

METU vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
METU Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF	-14.71%	-1.01%	28.79%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	24.15%	31.94%	26.63%

Correlation

The correlation between METU and SPXL is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2024	0.57

The correlation between METU and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

METU vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	METU	SPXL
Communication Services	100.0%	10.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Financial Services	-	11.1%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	39.0%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

METU vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

METU

METU Risk / Return Rank: 5
METU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
METU Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
METU Omega Ratio Rank: 6
METU Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
METU Martin Ratio Rank: 5

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
SPXL 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.

METU vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF (METU) 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.

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.

	METU	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.46	1.46	-1.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.26	1.96	-2.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.25	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.57	2.05	-2.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.93	8.10	-9.04

METU vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current METU Sharpe Ratio is -0.46, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of METU 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.

Drawdowns

METU vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum METU drawdown since its inception was -61.86%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for METU and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	METU	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.86%	-76.86%	+15.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-61.54%	-26.77%	-34.77%
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	-45.48%	-5.13%	-40.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.06%	-16.07%	-8.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	37.56%	6.76%	+30.80%

Volatility

METU vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF (METU) has a higher volatility of 31.56% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) at 12.75%. This indicates that METU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	METU	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	31.56%	12.75%	+18.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	61.87%	30.07%	+31.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	76.94%	37.72%	+39.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	74.41%	50.60%	+23.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	74.41%	53.40%	+21.01%

METU vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

METU has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

METU vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

METU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.25%, more than SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
METU Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF	3.25%	3.00%	1.40%	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 METU and SPXL in my portfolio?

METU and SPXL have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, METU or SPXL?

METU has higher volatility (31.56%) compared to SPXL (12.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, METU dropped -61.86% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, METU or SPXL?

On 1-year performance, SPXL leads with 54.60% vs -34.95% for METU. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, SPXL has been the lower-risk option at 12.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, METU or SPXL?

Over the 1-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 54.60% return vs -34.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, METU or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 1.07% for METU.

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

METU has the higher dividend yield at 3.25%, compared with 0.52% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between METU and SPXL?

Their fees differ too: 1.07% for METU and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs -0.46), 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.