PILL vs. XHB

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PILL (Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares) and XHB (SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PILL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index, while XHB is a Building & Construction fund tracking the S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PILL returned -7.95%/yr vs 9.70%/yr for XHB. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PILL charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XHB.

Performance

PILL vs. XHB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) and SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PILL achieves a 20.53% return, which is significantly higher than XHB's 6.31% return.

PILL

• 1D: 5.04%
• 1M: 21.49%
• YTD: 20.53%
• 6M: 14.24%
• 1Y: 186.97%
• 3Y*: 22.38%
• 5Y*: -7.95%
• 10Y*: —

XHB

• 1D: -1.58%
• 1M: 9.28%
• YTD: 6.31%
• 6M: 4.68%
• 1Y: 15.99%
• 3Y*: 13.19%
• 5Y*: 9.70%
• 10Y*: 13.79%

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

PILL vs. XHB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	20.53%	75.14%	-7.26%	-12.06%	-43.16%	-37.33%	0.28%	19.26%	-21.15%	16.39%
XHB SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF	6.31%	-0.69%	9.87%	60.10%	-28.93%	49.70%	27.97%	41.30%	-25.73%	7.43%

Correlation

The correlation between PILL and XHB is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2017	0.52

The correlation between PILL and XHB shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (1 year) to 0.52 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PILL vs. XHB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PILL	XHB
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	60.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	38.4%
Real Estate	-	1.1%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PILL vs. XHB — Risk / Return Rank

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

PILL

PILL Risk / Return Rank: 83
PILL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
PILL Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
PILL Omega Ratio Rank: 68
PILL Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
PILL Martin Ratio Rank: 88

XHB

XHB Risk / Return Rank: 18
XHB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XHB Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
XHB Omega Ratio Rank: 17
XHB Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
XHB Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

PILL vs. XHB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) and SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB). 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.

	PILL	XHB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.02	0.57	+2.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	1.09	+2.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.12	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.67	0.74	+4.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.65	1.51	+17.14

PILL vs. XHB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PILL Sharpe Ratio is 3.02, which is higher than the XHB Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PILL and XHB, 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

PILL vs. XHB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PILL drawdown since its inception was -88.76%, which is greater than XHB's maximum drawdown of -81.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PILL and XHB.

Drawdown Indicators

	PILL	XHB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.76%	-81.61%	-7.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.21%	-21.71%	-11.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.43%	-30.53%	-29.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-83.26%	-39.46%	-43.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.57%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-58.70%	-11.97%	-46.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.54%	-27.57%	-30.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.07%	10.60%	-0.53%

Volatility

PILL vs. XHB - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) has a higher volatility of 17.72% compared to SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) at 8.50%. This indicates that PILL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XHB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PILL	XHB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.72%	8.50%	+9.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.99%	21.06%	+26.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	62.50%	28.44%	+34.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	60.58%	27.84%	+32.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.78%	27.52%	+36.26%

PILL vs. XHB - Expense Ratio Comparison

PILL has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than XHB's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PILL vs. XHB - Dividend Comparison

PILL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than XHB's 0.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	0.52%	0.69%	1.28%	1.83%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.38%	0.91%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%
XHB SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF	0.73%	0.78%	0.59%	0.77%	1.06%	0.51%	0.73%	0.89%	1.25%	0.72%	0.67%	0.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PILL and XHB in my portfolio?

PILL and XHB have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PILL or XHB?

PILL has higher volatility (17.72%) compared to XHB (8.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PILL dropped -88.76% vs XHB's -81.61%.

Which ETF is better, PILL or XHB?

On 5-year performance, XHB leads with 9.70% vs -7.95% for PILL. On fees, XHB is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XHB has been the lower-risk option at 8.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PILL or XHB?

Over the 5-year period, XHB has performed better with a 9.70% return vs -7.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PILL or XHB?

XHB is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for PILL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PILL or XHB?

XHB has the higher dividend yield at 0.73%, compared with 0.52% for PILL.

What is the main difference between PILL and XHB?

PILL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while XHB is Building & Construction. PILL tracks Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index, while XHB tracks S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.98% for PILL and 0.35% for XHB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PILL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 0.57), 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.