METU vs. XLE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

METU (Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - METU is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Direxion, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. METU is actively managed, while XLE is passively managed. Over the past year, METU returned -30.53% vs 36.53% for XLE. At a correlation of -0.07, they often move in opposite directions. METU charges 1.07%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

METU vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF (METU) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, METU achieves a -12.85% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 29.29% return.

METU

• 1D: -4.90%
• 1M: 18.74%
• 6M: -0.97%
• YTD: -12.85%
• 1Y: -30.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 3.74%
• 6M: 21.42%
• YTD: 29.29%
• 1Y: 36.53%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 22.95%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

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

METU vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
METU Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF	-12.85%	-1.01%	28.79%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	29.29%	7.88%	-2.33%

Correlation

The correlation between METU and XLE is -0.22, 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	-0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2024	-0.07

The correlation between METU and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (1 year) to -0.07 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

METU vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

METU vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

METU

METU Risk / Return Rank: 6
METU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
METU Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
METU Omega Ratio Rank: 7
METU Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
METU Martin Ratio Rank: 5

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 59
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF (METU) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.40	1.75	-2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.13	2.32	-2.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.29	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.50	2.45	-2.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.81	6.58	-7.39

METU vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current METU Sharpe Ratio is -0.40, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of METU and XLE, 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. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum METU drawdown since its inception was -61.86%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for METU and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	METU	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.86%	-71.26%	+9.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-61.54%	-14.98%	-46.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.14%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.04%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-44.29%	-8.20%	-36.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.17%	-17.95%	-7.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	37.85%	5.57%	+32.28%

Volatility

METU vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF (METU) has a higher volatility of 31.37% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 6.10%. This indicates that METU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	METU	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	31.37%	6.10%	+25.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	62.16%	16.65%	+45.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	77.14%	20.96%	+56.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	74.40%	25.87%	+48.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	74.40%	29.58%	+44.82%

METU vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

METU has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

METU vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

METU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.18%, more than XLE's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
METU Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF	3.18%	3.00%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both METU and XLE in my portfolio?

METU and XLE have a correlation of -0.22, 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 XLE?

METU has higher volatility (31.37%) compared to XLE (6.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, METU dropped -61.86% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, METU or XLE?

On 1-year performance, XLE leads with 36.53% vs -30.53% for METU. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 6.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, METU or XLE?

Over the 1-year period, XLE has performed better with a 36.53% return vs -30.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, METU or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 1.07% for METU.

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

METU has the higher dividend yield at 3.18%, compared with 2.66% for XLE.

What is the main difference between METU and XLE?

METU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.07% for METU and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.40), 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.