NVDU vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NVDU (Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion. NVDU is actively managed, while SPXL is passively managed. Over the past year, NVDU returned 84.73% vs 81.54% for SPXL. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NVDU charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

NVDU vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF (NVDU) 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, NVDU achieves a 19.93% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 28.14% return.

NVDU

• 1D: -7.30%
• 1M: 14.13%
• YTD: 19.93%
• 6M: 27.09%
• 1Y: 84.73%
• 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)

NVDU vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
NVDU Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF	19.93%	33.65%	289.29%	9.96%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	28.14%	31.94%	63.61%	17.13%

Correlation

The correlation between NVDU and SPXL is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.63

The correlation between NVDU and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

NVDU vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NVDU	SPXL
Technology	100.0%	8.5%
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Communication Services	-	2.4%
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%
Utilities	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

NVDU vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NVDU

NVDU Risk / Return Rank: 34
NVDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
NVDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
NVDU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
NVDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
NVDU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

NVDU vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	NVDU	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	2.32	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	2.78	-0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.37	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	3.06	-1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.60	12.94	-8.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NVDU vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NVDU Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NVDU 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

	NVDU	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	2.32	-1.06
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	1.14	0.53	+0.61

Drawdowns

NVDU vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NVDU drawdown since its inception was -67.27%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NVDU and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NVDU	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.27%	-76.86%	+9.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-42.27%	-26.77%	-15.50%
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	-18.32%	-2.08%	-16.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.84%	-15.72%	-3.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.47%	6.32%	+12.15%

Volatility

NVDU vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF (NVDU) has a higher volatility of 24.74% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) at 8.49%. This indicates that NVDU'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

	NVDU	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.74%	8.49%	+16.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	50.50%	26.67%	+23.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	68.02%	35.39%	+32.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	91.06%	50.24%	+40.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	91.06%	53.42%	+37.64%

NVDU vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NVDU has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

NVDU vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

NVDU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.83%, more than SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NVDU Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF	4.83%	5.68%	16.85%	0.63%	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 NVDU and SPXL in my portfolio?

NVDU and SPXL have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NVDU or SPXL?

NVDU has higher volatility (24.74%) compared to SPXL (8.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NVDU dropped -67.27% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, NVDU or SPXL?

On 1-year performance, NVDU leads with 84.73% vs 81.54% for SPXL. 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, NVDU or SPXL?

Over the 1-year period, NVDU has performed better with a 84.73% return vs 81.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NVDU or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for NVDU.

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

NVDU has the higher dividend yield at 4.83%, compared with 0.52% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between NVDU and SPXL?

Their fees differ too: 1.04% for NVDU and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 1.26), 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.