PWLIX vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PWLIX (PIMCO RAE Worldwide Long/Short PLUS Fund) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both funds - PWLIX is a Long-Short fund managed by PIMCO, while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Over the past 10 years, PWLIX returned 4.84%/yr vs 29.90%/yr for SPXL. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PWLIX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

PWLIX vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAE Worldwide Long/Short PLUS Fund (PWLIX) 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, PWLIX achieves a 2.38% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 20.98% return. Over the past 10 years, PWLIX has underperformed SPXL with an annualized return of 4.84%, while SPXL has yielded a comparatively higher 29.90% annualized return.

PWLIX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 2.24%
• YTD: 2.38%
• 6M: 1.28%
• 1Y: 2.75%
• 3Y*: 5.58%
• 5Y*: 4.84%
• 10Y*: 4.84%

SPXL

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -1.59%
• YTD: 20.98%
• 6M: 21.36%
• 1Y: 65.66%
• 3Y*: 47.11%
• 5Y*: 21.80%
• 10Y*: 29.90%

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

PWLIX vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PWLIX PIMCO RAE Worldwide Long/Short PLUS Fund	2.38%	4.64%	4.65%	4.04%	4.33%	15.15%	-12.66%	9.60%	0.49%	11.80%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	20.98%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-25.11%	71.03%

Correlation

The correlation between PWLIX and SPXL is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2014	0.23

The correlation between PWLIX and SPXL shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PWLIX vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

PWLIX

PWLIX Risk / Return Rank: 6
PWLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
PWLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
PWLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
PWLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
PWLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 58
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

PWLIX vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAE Worldwide Long/Short PLUS Fund (PWLIX) 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.

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.

	PWLIX	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.37	1.79	-1.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.59	2.25	-1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.30	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.34	2.47	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.91	10.16	-9.25

PWLIX vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PWLIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.37, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PWLIX 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.

Drawdowns

PWLIX vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PWLIX drawdown since its inception was -26.92%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PWLIX and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	PWLIX	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.92%	-76.86%	+49.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.43%	-26.77%	+17.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.74%	-48.95%	+37.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.74%	-63.80%	+52.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.92%	-76.86%	+49.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.51%	-7.55%	+1.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.19%	-16.11%	+11.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	6.49%	-3.01%

Volatility

PWLIX vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO RAE Worldwide Long/Short PLUS Fund (PWLIX) is 2.68%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 13.20%. This indicates that PWLIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PWLIX	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	13.20%	-10.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.75%	28.79%	-22.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.61%	36.81%	-28.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.99%	50.44%	-41.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.01%	53.50%	-44.49%

PWLIX vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

PWLIX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

PWLIX vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

PWLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.81%, more than SPXL's 0.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PWLIX PIMCO RAE Worldwide Long/Short PLUS Fund	4.81%	6.65%	4.75%	5.51%	14.75%	11.99%	7.31%	6.79%	0.39%	10.82%	4.16%	3.61%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.56%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PWLIX and SPXL in my portfolio?

PWLIX and SPXL have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PWLIX or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (13.20%) compared to PWLIX (2.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PWLIX dropped -26.92% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 0.37), 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.