QULL vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QULL (ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds - QULL tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index while SPXL tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QULL returned 16.69%/yr vs 24.69%/yr for SPXL. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QULL charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

QULL vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL) 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, QULL achieves a 15.23% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 30.87% return.

QULL

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 7.79%
• YTD: 15.23%
• 6M: 15.73%
• 1Y: 40.54%
• 3Y*: 32.44%
• 5Y*: 16.69%
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 15.92%
• YTD: 30.87%
• 6M: 30.90%
• 1Y: 88.59%
• 3Y*: 53.90%
• 5Y*: 24.69%
• 10Y*: 30.47%

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

QULL vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QULL ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN	15.23%	17.61%	38.03%	57.07%	-42.00%	51.36%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	30.87%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	80.20%

Correlation

The correlation between QULL 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	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2021	0.96

The correlation between QULL and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QULL vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QULL

QULL Risk / Return Rank: 47
QULL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
QULL Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
QULL Omega Ratio Rank: 44
QULL Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
QULL Martin Ratio Rank: 56

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 69
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

QULL vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL) 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.

	QULL	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.52	-0.86
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	2.95	-0.64
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.39	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	3.43	-1.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.90	14.51	-4.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QULL vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QULL Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QULL 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

	QULL	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	2.52	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.49	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.53	+0.03

Drawdowns

QULL vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QULL drawdown since its inception was -51.83%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QULL and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QULL	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.83%	-76.86%	+25.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.43%	-26.77%	+8.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.82%	-48.95%	+12.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.83%	-63.80%	+11.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-76.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	0.00%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.07%	-15.73%	+1.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.15%	6.32%	-2.17%

Volatility

QULL vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL) is 4.89%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 8.21%. This indicates that QULL 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

	QULL	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	8.21%	-3.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.80%	26.62%	-7.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.46%	35.34%	-10.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.62%	50.23%	-14.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.16%	53.42%	-18.26%

QULL vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QULL has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

QULL vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

QULL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.51%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QULL ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.51%	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 QULL and SPXL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, QULL 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, QULL or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (8.21%) compared to QULL (4.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QULL dropped -51.83% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, QULL or SPXL?

On 5-year performance, SPXL leads with 24.69% vs 16.69% for QULL. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, QULL has been the lower-risk option at 4.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QULL or SPXL?

Over the 5-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 24.69% return vs 16.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QULL or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for QULL.

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

SPXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.51%, compared with 0.00% for QULL.

What is the main difference between QULL and SPXL?

QULL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while SPXL tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: UBS and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for QULL and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.67), 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.