NAIL vs. UTSL

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

NAIL (Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares) and UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - NAIL tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index (300%) while UTSL tracks the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NAIL returned -12.02%/yr vs 10.33%/yr for UTSL. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

NAIL vs. UTSL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL) and Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NAIL achieves a -22.74% return, which is significantly lower than UTSL's 9.61% return.

NAIL

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -16.35%
• 6M: -39.64%
• YTD: -22.74%
• 1Y: -29.80%
• 3Y*: -20.75%
• 5Y*: -12.02%
• 10Y*: 2.20%
• ALL TIME*: 0.03%

UTSL

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.69%
• 6M: 8.72%
• YTD: 9.61%
• 1Y: 12.25%
• 3Y*: 17.95%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.71%

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

NAIL vs. UTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NAIL Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares	-22.74%	-40.43%	-22.83%	259.61%	-75.23%	168.20%	-32.08%	184.63%	-73.96%	138.57%
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	9.61%	29.03%	54.24%	-35.55%	-14.06%	48.16%	-38.58%	81.07%	-2.27%	11.00%

Correlation

The correlation between NAIL 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	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017	0.30

NAIL vs. UTSL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NAIL	UTSL
Consumer Cyclical	71.9%	-
Industrials	19.0%	-
Basic Materials	8.4%	-
Real Estate	0.7%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

NAIL vs. UTSL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NAIL

NAIL Risk / Return Rank: 8
NAIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
NAIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
NAIL Omega Ratio Rank: 9
NAIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
NAIL Martin Ratio Rank: 7

UTSL

UTSL Risk / Return Rank: 17
UTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
UTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
UTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 17
UTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
UTSL Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

NAIL vs. UTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL) 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.

	NAIL	UTSL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.33	0.28	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.07	0.67	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.08	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.44	0.43	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.70	0.83	-1.52

NAIL vs. UTSL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NAIL Sharpe Ratio is -0.33, which is lower than the UTSL Sharpe Ratio of 0.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NAIL and UTSL, 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

NAIL vs. UTSL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NAIL drawdown since its inception was -93.75%, which is greater than UTSL's maximum drawdown of -79.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NAIL and UTSL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NAIL	UTSL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.75%	-79.55%	-14.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.85%	-28.45%	-39.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-82.09%	-46.22%	-35.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-84.40%	-68.01%	-16.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-93.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-77.92%	-19.30%	-58.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.14%	-33.01%	-11.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	42.73%	14.87%	+27.86%

Volatility

NAIL vs. UTSL - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL) has a higher volatility of 28.81% compared to Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) at 12.77%. This indicates that NAIL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UTSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NAIL	UTSL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	28.81%	12.77%	+16.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	64.42%	35.46%	+28.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	89.85%	44.31%	+45.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	88.02%	52.02%	+36.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	89.71%	59.08%	+30.63%

NAIL vs. UTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NAIL and UTSL have an expense ratio of 0.99%.

Dividends

NAIL vs. UTSL - Dividend Comparison

NAIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.81%, less than UTSL's 1.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NAIL Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares	0.81%	1.55%	0.63%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%	0.17%	0.35%	1.25%
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	1.60%	1.69%	1.61%	3.61%	1.15%	1.19%	1.40%	5.01%	1.46%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NAIL and UTSL in my portfolio?

NAIL 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.

Which is riskier, NAIL or UTSL?

NAIL has higher volatility (28.81%) compared to UTSL (12.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NAIL dropped -93.75% vs UTSL's -79.55%.

Which ETF is better, NAIL or UTSL?

On 5-year performance, UTSL leads with 10.33% vs -12.02% for NAIL. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, UTSL has been the lower-risk option at 12.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NAIL or UTSL?

Over the 5-year period, UTSL has performed better with a 10.33% return vs -12.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NAIL or UTSL?

NAIL and UTSL have the same expense ratio: 0.99% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NAIL or UTSL?

UTSL has the higher dividend yield at 1.60%, compared with 0.81% for NAIL.

What is the main difference between NAIL and UTSL?

NAIL tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index (300%), while UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UTSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.28 vs -0.33), 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.