NFXL vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NFXL (Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion. NFXL is actively managed, while SPXL is passively managed. Over the past year, NFXL returned -64.17% vs 81.54% for SPXL. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NFXL charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

NFXL vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares (NFXL) 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, NFXL achieves a -31.65% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 28.14% return.

NFXL

• 1D: -4.28%
• 1M: -20.99%
• YTD: -31.65%
• 6M: -45.39%
• 1Y: -64.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 14.77%
• YTD: 28.14%
• 6M: 26.88%
• 1Y: 81.54%
• 3Y*: 52.83%
• 5Y*: 23.51%
• 10Y*: 30.20%

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

NFXL vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NFXL Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares	-31.65%	-11.98%	50.97%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	28.14%	31.94%	6.63%

Correlation

The correlation between NFXL and SPXL is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2024	0.34

The correlation between NFXL and SPXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (1 year) to 0.34 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NFXL vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NFXL	SPXL
Communication Services	100.0%	2.4%
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.1%
Energy	-	0.8%
Financial Services	-	2.6%
Healthcare	-	1.9%
Industrials	-	1.7%
Real Estate	-	0.4%
Technology	-	8.5%
Utilities	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

NFXL vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NFXL

NFXL Risk / Return Rank: 1
NFXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
NFXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
NFXL Omega Ratio Rank: 1
NFXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
NFXL Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

NFXL vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares (NFXL) 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.

	NFXL	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.97	2.32	-3.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.62	2.78	-4.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.80	1.37	-0.57
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.89	3.06	-3.96
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.39	12.94	-14.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NFXL vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFXL Sharpe Ratio is -0.97, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFXL 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NFXL	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.97	2.32	-3.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.53	-0.61

Drawdowns

NFXL vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFXL drawdown since its inception was -71.97%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFXL and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFXL	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.97%	-76.86%	+4.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-71.97%	-26.77%	-45.20%
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	-70.02%	-2.08%	-67.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.07%	-15.72%	-12.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	46.07%	6.32%	+39.75%

Volatility

NFXL vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares (NFXL) has a higher volatility of 14.37% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) at 8.49%. This indicates that NFXL'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

	NFXL	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.37%	8.49%	+5.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	51.09%	26.67%	+24.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	66.34%	35.39%	+30.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	69.51%	50.24%	+19.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	69.51%	53.42%	+16.09%

NFXL vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NFXL has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

NFXL vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

NFXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.67%, more than SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NFXL Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares	11.67%	7.97%	0.59%	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 NFXL and SPXL in my portfolio?

NFXL and SPXL have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NFXL or SPXL?

NFXL has higher volatility (14.37%) compared to SPXL (8.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFXL dropped -71.97% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, NFXL or SPXL?

On 1-year performance, SPXL leads with 81.54% vs -64.17% for NFXL. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, SPXL has been the lower-risk option at 8.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NFXL or SPXL?

Over the 1-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 81.54% return vs -64.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NFXL or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for NFXL.

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

NFXL has the higher dividend yield at 11.67%, compared with 0.52% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between NFXL and SPXL?

Their fees differ too: 1.06% for NFXL and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs -0.97), 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.