PALD vs. SPXS

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

PALD (Direxion Daily PANW Bear 1X Shares) and SPXS (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares) are both Inverse Equities funds from Direxion. PALD is actively managed, while SPXS is passively managed. Over the past year, PALD returned -49.74% vs -37.99% for SPXS. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PALD charges 1.02%/yr vs 1.08%/yr for SPXS.

Performance

PALD vs. SPXS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily PANW Bear 1X Shares (PALD) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PALD achieves a -52.20% return, which is significantly lower than SPXS's -22.18% return.

PALD

• 1D: 2.84%
• 1M: -19.43%
• 6M: -51.24%
• YTD: -52.20%
• 1Y: -49.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -44.61%

SPXS

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 2.52%
• 6M: -19.33%
• YTD: -22.18%
• 1Y: -37.99%
• 3Y*: -38.66%
• 5Y*: -32.82%
• 10Y*: -40.97%
• ALL TIME*: -44.68%

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

PALD vs. SPXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PALD Direxion Daily PANW Bear 1X Shares	-52.20%	-3.89%
SPXS Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares	-22.18%	-44.56%

Correlation

The correlation between PALD and SPXS is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2025	0.37

Return for Risk

PALD vs. SPXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PALD

PALD Risk / Return Rank: 1
PALD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
PALD Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PALD Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PALD Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
PALD Martin Ratio Rank: 0

SPXS

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

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.

PALD vs. SPXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily PANW Bear 1X Shares (PALD) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS). 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.

	PALD	SPXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.21	-1.01	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.94	-1.51	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.78	0.83	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	-0.87	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.85	-1.48	-0.37

PALD vs. SPXS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PALD Sharpe Ratio is -1.21, which is comparable to the SPXS Sharpe Ratio of -1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PALD and SPXS, 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

PALD vs. SPXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PALD drawdown since its inception was -63.69%, smaller than the maximum SPXS drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PALD and SPXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PALD	SPXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.69%	-100.00%	+36.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-63.69%	-43.64%	-20.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-84.13%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-90.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-62.65%	-100.00%	+37.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.95%	-96.31%	+71.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.88%	25.64%	+1.24%

Volatility

PALD vs. SPXS - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily PANW Bear 1X Shares (PALD) has a higher volatility of 17.45% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS) at 10.35%. This indicates that PALD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPXS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PALD	SPXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.45%	10.35%	+7.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.87%	30.20%	+5.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.45%	37.82%	+3.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.79%	50.69%	-8.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.79%	53.53%	-11.74%

PALD vs. SPXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PALD has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXS's 1.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

PALD vs. SPXS - Dividend Comparison

PALD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.45%, more than SPXS's 4.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PALD Direxion Daily PANW Bear 1X Shares	5.45%	3.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXS Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares	4.36%	4.93%	6.18%	5.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.51%	1.74%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PALD and SPXS in my portfolio?

PALD and SPXS have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PALD or SPXS?

PALD has higher volatility (17.45%) compared to SPXS (10.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PALD dropped -63.69% vs SPXS's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, PALD or SPXS?

On 1-year performance, SPXS leads with -37.99% vs -49.74% for PALD. On fees, PALD is cheaper at 1.02% per year. On volatility, SPXS has been the lower-risk option at 10.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PALD or SPXS?

Over the 1-year period, SPXS has performed better with a -37.99% return vs -49.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PALD or SPXS?

PALD is cheaper with a 1.02% expense ratio, compared with 1.08% for SPXS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PALD or SPXS?

PALD has the higher dividend yield at 5.45%, compared with 4.36% for SPXS.

What is the main difference between PALD and SPXS?

Their fees differ too: 1.02% for PALD and 1.08% for SPXS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-1.01 vs -1.21), 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.