PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
OILU vs. SOXL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

OILU vs. SOXL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - OILU is a Leveraged Commodities fund managed by BMO, while SOXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index. Over the past 3 years, OILU returned 6.45%/yr vs 110.81%/yr for SOXL. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. OILU charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SOXL.

Performance

OILU vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OILU achieves a 80.85% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 458.36% return.

OILU

1D
2.31%
1M
-5.32%
YTD
80.85%
6M
71.72%
1Y
79.06%
3Y*
6.45%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

SOXL

1D
4.77%
1M
27.38%
YTD
458.36%
6M
462.65%
1Y
985.71%
3Y*
110.81%
5Y*
43.69%
10Y*
63.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

OILU vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
OILU
MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN		80.85%-16.50%-21.65%-32.50%151.08%-16.79%
SOXL
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF		458.36%54.91%-12.31%226.98%-85.66%7.06%

Correlation

The correlation between OILU and SOXL is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.02

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.12

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021

0.21

The correlation between OILU and SOXL shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

OILU vs. SOXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
OILU
SOXL

Energy

100.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

100.0%

Utilities

-

-

Energy

OILU
100.0%
SOXL

-

Basic Materials

OILU

-

SOXL

-

Communication Services

OILU

-

SOXL

-

Consumer Cyclical

OILU

-

SOXL

-

Consumer Defensive

OILU

-

SOXL

-

Financial Services

OILU

-

SOXL

-

Healthcare

OILU

-

SOXL

-

Industrials

OILU

-

SOXL

-

Real Estate

OILU

-

SOXL

-

Technology

OILU

-

SOXL
100.0%

Utilities

OILU

-

SOXL

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN

Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF

Often compared with OILU:
OILU vs. UCOOILU vs. NRGUOILU vs. WTIUOILU vs. USOOILU vs. USOIOILU vs. OILDOILU vs. FRO
Often compared with SOXL:
SOXL vs. TQQQSOXL vs. SOXXSOXL vs. SOXSSOXL vs. USDSOXL vs. TECLSOXL vs. NVDLSOXL vs. SPY

Return for Risk

OILU vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
OILU
OILU Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
OILU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
OILU Sortino Ratio Rank: 3838
Sortino Ratio Rank
OILU Omega Ratio Rank: 3636
Omega Ratio Rank
OILU Calmar Ratio Rank: 5454
Calmar Ratio Rank
OILU Martin Ratio Rank: 4040
Martin Ratio Rank
SOXL
SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9999
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 9494
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 9494
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 9999
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 9898
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

OILU vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) 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.

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.

OILUSOXLDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.27
8.99

-7.72

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.78
4.23

-2.45

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.60

-0.38

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.37

22.91

-20.54

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.62

74.51

-68.89

OILU vs. SOXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OILU Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the SOXL Sharpe Ratio of 8.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OILU 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.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

OILU vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OILU drawdown since its inception was -81.00%, smaller than the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OILU and SOXL.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

OILUSOXLDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-81.00%

-90.46%

+9.46%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-33.51%

-43.47%

+9.96%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-69.09%

-87.88%

+18.79%

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

-51.36%

-16.35%

-35.01%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-50.54%

-34.99%

-15.55%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

14.12%

13.35%

+0.77%

Volatility

OILU vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) is 21.88%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 58.17%. This indicates that OILU 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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

OILUSOXLDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

21.88%

58.17%

-36.29%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

50.72%

93.93%

-43.21%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

62.50%

110.81%

-48.31%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

81.07%

108.96%

-27.89%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

81.07%

99.99%

-18.92%

OILU vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

OILU has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

OILU vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison

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

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
OILU
MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN		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

OILU and SOXL have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SOXL has higher volatility (58.17%) compared to OILU (21.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OILU dropped -81.00% vs SOXL's -90.46%.

On 3-year performance, SOXL leads with 110.81% vs 6.45% for OILU. On fees, SOXL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, OILU has been the lower-risk option at 21.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 110.81% return vs 6.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SOXL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for OILU.

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

OILU is categorized as Leveraged Commodities, while SOXL is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: BMO and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for OILU and 0.75% for SOXL.

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.99 vs 1.27), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for OILU and SOXL

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer