MIDU vs. UTSL
MIDU (Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares) and UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - MIDU tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%) while UTSL tracks the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MIDU returned 2.68%/yr vs 8.66%/yr for UTSL. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MIDU charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for UTSL.
Performance
MIDU vs. UTSL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MIDU achieves a 41.54% return, which is significantly higher than UTSL's 6.35% return.
MIDU
- 1D
- 1.98%
- 1M
- 10.51%
- YTD
- 41.54%
- 6M
- 35.51%
- 1Y
- 66.94%
- 3Y*
- 23.88%
- 5Y*
- 2.68%
- 10Y*
- 12.76%
UTSL
- 1D
- 3.20%
- 1M
- -2.77%
- YTD
- 6.35%
- 6M
- 6.90%
- 1Y
- 18.04%
- 3Y*
- 20.77%
- 5Y*
- 8.66%
- 10Y*
- —
MIDU vs. UTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MIDU Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares | 41.54% | -2.75% | 20.32% | 27.79% | -49.27% | 72.89% | -18.31% | 77.38% | -39.21% | 30.34% |
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares | 6.35% | 29.03% | 54.24% | -35.55% | -14.06% | 48.16% | -38.58% | 81.07% | -2.27% | 11.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between MIDU and UTSL is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017 | 0.36 |
The correlation between MIDU and UTSL shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (1 year) to 0.40 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
MIDU vs. UTSL - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
MIDU
UTSL
Industrials
-
Technology
-
Financial Services
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
Healthcare
-
Real Estate
-
Energy
-
Basic Materials
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Utilities
Communication Services
-
Industrials
MIDU
UTSL
-
Technology
MIDU
UTSL
-
Financial Services
MIDU
UTSL
-
Consumer Cyclical
MIDU
UTSL
-
Healthcare
MIDU
UTSL
-
Real Estate
MIDU
UTSL
-
Energy
MIDU
UTSL
-
Basic Materials
MIDU
UTSL
-
Consumer Defensive
MIDU
UTSL
-
Utilities
MIDU
UTSL
Communication Services
MIDU
UTSL
-
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Return for Risk
MIDU vs. UTSL — Risk / Return Rank
MIDU
UTSL
MIDU vs. UTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU) and Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL). 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.
| MIDU | UTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.10 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.61 | 0.64 | +1.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.65 | 1.30 | +7.35 |
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Drawdowns
MIDU vs. UTSL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MIDU drawdown since its inception was -86.26%, which is greater than UTSL's maximum drawdown of -79.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MIDU and UTSL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MIDU | UTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -86.26% | -79.55% | -6.71% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -25.80% | -28.45% | +2.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -60.41% | -46.22% | -14.19% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -64.14% | -68.01% | +3.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -86.26% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.48% | -21.69% | +20.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -22.41% | -33.19% | +10.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.77% | 13.87% | -6.10% |
Volatility
MIDU vs. UTSL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU) is 15.07%, while Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) has a volatility of 17.03%. This indicates that MIDU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UTSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MIDU | UTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 15.07% | 17.03% | -1.96% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 34.90% | 35.33% | -0.43% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 47.43% | 43.73% | +3.70% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 59.59% | 52.08% | +7.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 63.65% | 59.23% | +4.42% |
MIDU vs. UTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison
MIDU has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than UTSL's 0.99% expense ratio.
Dividends
MIDU vs. UTSL - Dividend Comparison
MIDU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, less than UTSL's 1.71% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MIDU Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares | 0.63% | 1.04% | 1.10% | 1.43% | 0.11% | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.71% | 0.70% | 2.67% | 1.89% |
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares | 1.71% | 1.69% | 1.61% | 3.61% | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.40% | 5.01% | 1.46% | 0.57% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MIDU and UTSL have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UTSL has higher volatility (17.03%) compared to MIDU (15.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MIDU dropped -86.26% vs UTSL's -79.55%.
On 5-year performance, UTSL leads with 8.66% vs 2.68% for MIDU. On fees, UTSL is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, MIDU has been the lower-risk option at 15.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, UTSL has performed better with a 8.66% return vs 2.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
UTSL is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for MIDU.
UTSL has the higher dividend yield at 1.71%, compared with 0.63% for MIDU.
MIDU tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%), while UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 1.06% for MIDU and 0.99% for UTSL.
MIDU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 0.42), 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.
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