NVOX vs. SOXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NVOX (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds. NVOX is actively managed, while SOXL is passively managed. Over the past year, NVOX returned -77.12% vs 1438.30% for SOXL. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NVOX charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SOXL.

Performance

NVOX vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF (NVOX) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NVOX achieves a -42.21% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 567.48% return.

NVOX

• 1D: -4.31%
• 1M: -12.27%
• YTD: -42.21%
• 6M: -35.19%
• 1Y: -77.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SOXL

• 1D: 5.34%
• 1M: 119.95%
• YTD: 567.48%
• 6M: 502.28%
• 1Y: 1,438.30%
• 3Y*: 135.13%
• 5Y*: 48.72%
• 10Y*: 65.39%

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

NVOX vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NVOX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF	-42.21%	-76.65%	-41.92%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	567.48%	54.91%	-7.88%

Correlation

The correlation between NVOX and SOXL is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2024	0.27

Return for Risk

NVOX vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NVOX

NVOX Risk / Return Rank: 2
NVOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
NVOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
NVOX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
NVOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
NVOX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

SOXL

SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

NVOX vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF (NVOX) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). 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.

	NVOX	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.75	14.28	-15.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.08	5.17	-6.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.85	1.72	-0.87
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.89	33.47	-34.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.15	114.79	-115.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NVOX vs. SOXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NVOX Sharpe Ratio is -0.75, which is lower than the SOXL Sharpe Ratio of 14.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NVOX and SOXL, 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

	NVOX	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.75	14.28	-15.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.79	0.52	-1.31

Drawdowns

NVOX vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NVOX drawdown since its inception was -94.50%, roughly equal to the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NVOX and SOXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NVOX	SOXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.50%	-90.46%	-4.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-87.05%	-43.47%	-43.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-87.88%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-90.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-90.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-92.50%	0.00%	-92.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-74.32%	-35.01%	-39.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	66.88%	12.65%	+54.23%

Volatility

NVOX vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF (NVOX) is 15.71%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 40.82%. This indicates that NVOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NVOX	SOXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.71%	40.82%	-25.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	78.61%	81.29%	-2.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	103.37%	102.11%	+1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	103.59%	107.25%	-3.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	103.59%	99.04%	+4.55%

NVOX vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NVOX has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

NVOX vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison

NVOX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SOXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
NVOX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	0.03%	0.34%	1.18%	0.51%	1.07%	0.04%	0.05%	0.38%	1.30%	0.09%	4.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NVOX and SOXL in my portfolio?

NVOX and SOXL have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NVOX or SOXL?

SOXL has higher volatility (40.82%) compared to NVOX (15.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NVOX dropped -94.50% vs SOXL's -90.46%.

Which ETF is better, NVOX or SOXL?

On 1-year performance, SOXL leads with 1438.30% vs -77.12% for NVOX. On fees, SOXL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, NVOX has been the lower-risk option at 15.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NVOX or SOXL?

Over the 1-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 1438.30% return vs -77.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NVOX or SOXL?

SOXL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for NVOX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NVOX or SOXL?

SOXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.03%, compared with 0.00% for NVOX.

What is the main difference between NVOX and SOXL?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for NVOX and 0.75% for SOXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (14.28 vs -0.75), 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.