ROM vs. SOXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ROM (ProShares Ultra Technology) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds - ROM tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index (200%) while SOXL tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROM returned 42.70%/yr vs 65.39%/yr for SOXL. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ROM charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SOXL.

Performance

ROM vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Technology (ROM) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROM achieves a 77.72% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 567.48% return. Over the past 10 years, ROM has underperformed SOXL with an annualized return of 42.70%, while SOXL has yielded a comparatively higher 65.39% annualized return.

ROM

• 1D: -2.01%
• 1M: 45.36%
• YTD: 77.72%
• 6M: 74.45%
• 1Y: 152.07%
• 3Y*: 59.24%
• 5Y*: 31.70%
• 10Y*: 42.70%

SOXL

• 1D: 5.34%
• 1M: 119.95%
• YTD: 567.48%
• 6M: 502.28%
• 1Y: 1,438.30%
• 3Y*: 135.13%
• 5Y*: 48.72%
• 10Y*: 65.39%

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

ROM vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROM ProShares Ultra Technology	77.72%	35.63%	31.65%	130.70%	-63.86%	77.75%	80.42%	102.10%	-9.89%	81.11%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	567.48%	54.91%	-12.31%	226.98%	-85.66%	118.84%	70.04%	231.83%	-39.07%	141.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ROM and SOXL is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 12, 2010	0.85

The correlation between ROM and SOXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROM vs. SOXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROM	SOXL
Technology	55.2%	100.0%
Financial Services	3.0%	-
Energy	0.1%	-
Industrials	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ROM vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROM

ROM Risk / Return Rank: 83
ROM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ROM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
ROM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
ROM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ROM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SOXL

SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

ROM vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Technology (ROM) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). 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.

	ROM	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.66	14.28	-10.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	5.17	-1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.72	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.73	33.47	-28.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.47	114.79	-100.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ROM vs. SOXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROM Sharpe Ratio is 3.66, which is lower than the SOXL Sharpe Ratio of 14.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROM and SOXL, 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

	ROM	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.66	14.28	-10.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.46	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.66	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.52	+0.02

Drawdowns

ROM vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROM drawdown since its inception was -83.36%, smaller than the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROM and SOXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROM	SOXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.36%	-90.46%	+7.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.33%	-43.47%	+11.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.10%	-87.88%	+39.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.55%	-90.46%	+22.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-67.55%	-90.46%	+22.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	0.00%	-2.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.88%	-35.01%	+14.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.55%	12.65%	-2.10%

Volatility

ROM vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Ultra Technology (ROM) is 14.00%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 40.82%. This indicates that ROM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROM	SOXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.00%	40.82%	-26.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.37%	81.29%	-47.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.83%	102.11%	-60.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.63%	107.25%	-55.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.82%	99.04%	-49.22%

ROM vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROM has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROM vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison

ROM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, more than SOXL's 0.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROM ProShares Ultra Technology	0.14%	0.24%	0.21%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.05%	0.16%	0.30%	0.08%	0.20%	0.12%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	0.03%	0.34%	1.18%	0.51%	1.07%	0.04%	0.05%	0.38%	1.30%	0.09%	4.84%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROM and SOXL in my portfolio?

ROM and SOXL have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROM or SOXL?

SOXL has higher volatility (40.82%) compared to ROM (14.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROM dropped -83.36% vs SOXL's -90.46%.

Which ETF is better, ROM or SOXL?

On 10-year performance, SOXL leads with 65.39% vs 42.70% for ROM. On fees, SOXL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, ROM has been the lower-risk option at 14.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROM or SOXL?

Over the 10-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 65.39% return vs 42.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROM or SOXL?

SOXL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ROM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ROM or SOXL?

ROM has the higher dividend yield at 0.14%, compared with 0.03% for SOXL.

What is the main difference between ROM and SOXL?

ROM tracks Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index (200%), while SOXL tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ROM and 0.75% for SOXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (14.28 vs 3.66), 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.