RETL vs. SOXS
RETL (Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares) and SOXS (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - RETL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%), while SOXS is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the PHLX Semiconductor Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RETL returned -5.15%/yr vs -78.71%/yr for SOXS. At a correlation of -0.51, they often move in opposite directions. RETL charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.08%/yr for SOXS.
Performance
RETL vs. SOXS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RETL achieves a -2.25% return, which is significantly higher than SOXS's -92.43% return. Over the past 10 years, RETL has outperformed SOXS with an annualized return of -5.15%, while SOXS has yielded a comparatively lower -78.71% annualized return.
RETL
- 1D
- -1.97%
- 1M
- -1.56%
- 6M
- -16.24%
- YTD
- -2.25%
- 1Y
- 5.65%
- 3Y*
- 7.48%
- 5Y*
- -26.88%
- 10Y*
- -5.15%
SOXS
- 1D
- 13.97%
- 1M
- -0.35%
- 6M
- -89.79%
- YTD
- -92.43%
- 1Y
- -96.62%
- 3Y*
- -85.78%
- 5Y*
- -79.45%
- 10Y*
- -78.71%
RETL vs. SOXS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares | -2.25% | -5.98% | 9.59% | 33.62% | -80.80% | 101.03% | 63.63% | 23.41% | -35.21% | -1.31% |
SOXS Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares | -92.43% | -85.53% | -59.55% | -84.56% | 15.76% | -80.94% | -92.90% | -83.81% | -19.39% | -69.39% |
Correlation
The correlation between RETL and SOXS is -0.33, 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 | -0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.43 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.55 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.51 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2010 | -0.51 |
The correlation between RETL and SOXS shifts across timeframes, from -0.55 (5 years) to -0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RETL vs. SOXS — Risk / Return Rank
RETL
SOXS
RETL vs. SOXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares (SOXS). 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.
| RETL | SOXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.87 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 0.70 | +0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.15 | -0.99 | +1.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.29 | -1.43 | +1.72 |
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Drawdowns
RETL vs. SOXS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RETL drawdown since its inception was -92.00%, smaller than the maximum SOXS drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RETL and SOXS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RETL | SOXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -92.00% | -100.00% | +8.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -38.08% | -97.89% | +59.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -62.72% | -99.87% | +37.15% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -92.00% | -99.98% | +7.98% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -92.00% | -100.00% | +8.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -83.21% | -100.00% | +16.79% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -37.84% | -92.63% | +54.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.29% | 67.54% | -48.25% |
Volatility
RETL vs. SOXS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) is 19.36%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares (SOXS) has a volatility of 66.39%. This indicates that RETL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RETL | SOXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 19.36% | 66.39% | -47.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 42.59% | 108.48% | -65.89% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 61.13% | 125.48% | -64.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 79.46% | 113.09% | -33.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 79.94% | 102.91% | -22.97% |
RETL vs. SOXS - Expense Ratio Comparison
RETL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXS's 1.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
RETL vs. SOXS - Dividend Comparison
RETL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.51%, less than SOXS's 48.83% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares | 0.51% | 0.58% | 1.13% | 1.35% | 0.71% | 0.22% | 0.19% | 0.92% | 1.19% | 0.01% | 2.60% |
SOXS Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares | 48.83% | 10.79% | 5.45% | 9.22% | 0.19% | 0.00% | 3.58% | 2.30% | 0.76% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RETL and SOXS have a correlation of -0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOXS has higher volatility (66.39%) compared to RETL (19.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RETL dropped -92.00% vs SOXS's -100.00%.
On 10-year performance, RETL leads with -5.15% vs -78.71% for SOXS. On fees, RETL is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, RETL has been the lower-risk option at 19.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, RETL has performed better with a -5.15% return vs -78.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
RETL is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.08% for SOXS.
SOXS has the higher dividend yield at 48.83%, compared with 0.51% for RETL.
RETL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SOXS is Inverse Equities. RETL tracks Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%), while SOXS tracks PHLX Semiconductor Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 0.99% for RETL and 1.08% for SOXS.
RETL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.09 vs -0.77), 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.
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