QQQE vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQE is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQE returned 15.49%/yr vs 30.20%/yr for SPXL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

QQQE vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) 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, QQQE achieves a 19.12% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 28.14% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQE has underperformed SPXL with an annualized return of 15.49%, while SPXL has yielded a comparatively higher 30.20% annualized return.

QQQE

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 10.46%
• YTD: 19.12%
• 6M: 17.48%
• 1Y: 28.68%
• 3Y*: 18.69%
• 5Y*: 10.30%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

SPXL

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 14.77%
• YTD: 28.14%
• 6M: 26.88%
• 1Y: 81.54%
• 3Y*: 52.83%
• 5Y*: 23.51%
• 10Y*: 30.20%

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

QQQE vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	19.12%	14.58%	6.98%	33.76%	-24.47%	17.93%	37.85%	36.43%	-5.40%	26.53%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	28.14%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-25.11%	71.03%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQE and SPXL is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2012	0.88

The correlation between QQQE and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQE vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQE	SPXL
Technology	45.1%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	2.2%
Industrials	10.1%	1.7%
Communication Services	9.1%	2.4%
Healthcare	8.6%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	1.1%
Utilities	3.9%	0.6%
Energy	2.0%	0.8%
Financial Services	1.0%	2.6%
Basic Materials	0.9%	0.4%
Real Estate	0.7%	0.4%

Return for Risk

QQQE vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQE

QQQE Risk / Return Rank: 58
QQQE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
QQQE Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
QQQE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QQQE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQE Martin Ratio Rank: 59

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

QQQE vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) 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.

	QQQE	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.32	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	2.78	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.37	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.06	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.57	12.94	-2.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQE vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQE Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQE 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QQQE	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.32	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.47	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.57	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.53	+0.24

Drawdowns

QQQE vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQE drawdown since its inception was -32.14%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQE and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQE	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.14%	-76.86%	+44.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-26.77%	+17.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.38%	-48.95%	+27.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.14%	-63.80%	+31.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.14%	-76.86%	+44.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-2.08%	+1.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.17%	-15.72%	+10.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	6.32%	-3.60%

Volatility

QQQE vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) is 3.79%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 8.49%. This indicates that QQQE 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

	QQQE	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	8.49%	-4.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.64%	26.67%	-16.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.15%	35.39%	-21.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.30%	50.24%	-29.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.72%	53.42%	-32.70%

QQQE vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQE vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

QQQE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, which matches SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	0.52%	0.52%	0.86%	0.79%	0.98%	3.83%	0.54%	0.74%	0.80%	0.65%	1.17%	0.57%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.52%	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 QQQE and SPXL in my portfolio?

QQQE and SPXL have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQE or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (8.49%) compared to QQQE (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQE dropped -32.14% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, QQQE or SPXL?

On 10-year performance, SPXL leads with 30.20% vs 15.49% for QQQE. On fees, QQQE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, QQQE has been the lower-risk option at 3.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQE or SPXL?

Over the 10-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 30.20% return vs 15.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQE or SPXL?

QQQE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for SPXL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQE or SPXL?

QQQE and SPXL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.52%.

What is the main difference between QQQE and SPXL?

QQQE is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SPXL is Leveraged Equities. QQQE tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while SPXL tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for QQQE and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.04), 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.