QQQM vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 28, 2026

QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQM is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QQQM returned 15.90%/yr vs 19.91%/yr for SPXL. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

QQQM vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) 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, QQQM achieves a 15.33% return, which is significantly higher than SPXL's 14.56% return.

QQQM

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: -4.17%
• YTD: 15.33%
• 6M: 13.55%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 25.57%
• 5Y*: 15.90%
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -11.42%
• YTD: 14.56%
• 6M: 10.31%
• 1Y: 48.17%
• 3Y*: 44.34%
• 5Y*: 19.91%
• 10Y*: 30.05%

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

QQQM vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	15.33%	20.85%	25.68%	55.01%	-32.52%	27.45%	6.64%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	14.56%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	18.45%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQM and SPXL is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2020	0.92

The correlation between QQQM and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQM vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQM	SPXL
Technology	58.7%	39.0%
Communication Services	14.3%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	4.5%
Healthcare	3.7%	8.3%
Industrials	2.6%	7.8%
Utilities	1.2%	2.1%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.7%
Energy	0.5%	3.1%
Financial Services	0.2%	11.1%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.8%

Return for Risk

QQQM vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 55
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
QQQM Martin Ratio Rank: 58

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 42
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

QQQM vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) 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.

	QQQM	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.35	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	1.84	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.24	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	1.88	+0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.24	7.54	+1.70

QQQM vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQM Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQM 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

QQQM vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQM drawdown since its inception was -35.04%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQM and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQM	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.04%	-76.86%	+41.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-26.77%	+14.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.70%	-48.95%	+26.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.04%	-63.80%	+28.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-76.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.19%	-12.46%	+7.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-16.09%	+7.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.26%	6.67%	-3.41%

Volatility

QQQM vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) is 8.93%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 14.54%. This indicates that QQQM 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

	QQQM	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.93%	14.54%	-5.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.47%	29.44%	-14.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.84%	37.26%	-19.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.54%	50.52%	-27.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.29%	53.42%	-31.13%

QQQM vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQM vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

QQQM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than SPXL's 0.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.45%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.57%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQM and SPXL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, QQQM and SPXL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QQQM or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (14.54%) compared to QQQM (8.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQM dropped -35.04% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, QQQM or SPXL?

On 5-year performance, SPXL leads with 19.91% vs 15.90% for QQQM. On fees, QQQM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QQQM has been the lower-risk option at 8.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQM or SPXL?

Over the 5-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 19.91% return vs 15.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQM or SPXL?

QQQM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for SPXL.

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

SPXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.57%, compared with 0.45% for QQQM.

What is the main difference between QQQM and SPXL?

QQQM is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SPXL is Leveraged Equities. QQQM tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while SPXL tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QQQM and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.35), 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.