RETL vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

RETL (Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RETL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%), while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RETL returned -5.53%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RETL charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

RETL vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RETL achieves a -12.88% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, RETL has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of -5.53%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

RETL

• 1D: 1.39%
• 1M: -8.46%
• YTD: -12.88%
• 6M: -10.06%
• 1Y: 8.48%
• 3Y*: 12.96%
• 5Y*: -28.26%
• 10Y*: -5.53%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

RETL vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares	-12.88%	-5.98%	9.59%	33.62%	-80.80%	101.03%	63.63%	23.41%	-35.21%	-1.31%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between RETL and SPY is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2010	0.67

The correlation between RETL and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (1 year) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RETL vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RETL	SPY
Consumer Cyclical	14.0%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	4.8%
Communication Services	0.3%	11.3%
Technology	0.3%	35.9%
Healthcare	0.3%	8.4%
Energy	0.3%	3.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

RETL vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

RETL

RETL Risk / Return Rank: 12
RETL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
RETL Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
RETL Omega Ratio Rank: 13
RETL Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
RETL Martin Ratio Rank: 11

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

RETL vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	RETL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.14	2.52	-2.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.65	3.42	-2.76
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.46	-0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.26	3.42	-3.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.55	15.93	-15.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RETL vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RETL Sharpe Ratio is 0.14, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RETL and SPY, 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

	RETL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14	2.52	-2.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.36	0.84	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.07	0.87	-0.94
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.59	-0.39

Drawdowns

RETL vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RETL drawdown since its inception was -92.00%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RETL and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	RETL	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.00%	-55.19%	-36.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.08%	-8.88%	-29.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.72%	-18.76%	-43.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-92.00%	-24.50%	-67.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-92.00%	-33.72%	-58.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-85.04%	0.00%	-85.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.54%	-9.05%	-28.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.11%	1.91%	+16.20%

Volatility

RETL vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) has a higher volatility of 20.25% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that RETL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RETL	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.25%	2.75%	+17.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.17%	8.89%	+31.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	60.15%	11.81%	+48.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	79.51%	17.05%	+62.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	79.76%	17.94%	+61.82%

RETL vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

RETL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

RETL vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

RETL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%, less than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares	0.59%	0.58%	1.13%	1.35%	0.71%	0.22%	0.19%	0.92%	1.19%	0.01%	2.60%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RETL and SPY in my portfolio?

RETL and SPY have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RETL or SPY?

RETL has higher volatility (20.25%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RETL dropped -92.00% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, RETL or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs -5.53% for RETL. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RETL or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs -5.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RETL or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for RETL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RETL or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.59% for RETL.

What is the main difference between RETL and SPY?

RETL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. RETL tracks Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%), while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for RETL and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.14), 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.