SDOW vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SDOW (ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds - SDOW tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average (-300%) while SPXL tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDOW returned -38.16%/yr vs 30.47%/yr for SPXL. At a correlation of -0.92, they often move in opposite directions. SDOW charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

SDOW vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) 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, SDOW achieves a -18.49% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 30.87% return. Over the past 10 years, SDOW has underperformed SPXL with an annualized return of -38.16%, while SPXL has yielded a comparatively higher 30.47% annualized return.

SDOW

• 1D: -1.52%
• 1M: -10.30%
• YTD: -18.49%
• 6M: -21.02%
• 1Y: -42.78%
• 3Y*: -33.02%
• 5Y*: -25.27%
• 10Y*: -38.16%

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)

SDOW vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDOW ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30	-18.49%	-33.94%	-25.95%	-28.78%	4.00%	-49.00%	-66.48%	-49.54%	-0.30%	-52.26%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	30.87%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-25.11%	71.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SDOW and SPXL is -0.82, 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	-0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2010	-0.92

The correlation between SDOW and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.92 to -0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDOW vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDOW	SPXL
Financial Services	74.6%	2.6%
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Communication Services	-	2.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.1%
Energy	-	0.8%
Healthcare	-	1.9%
Industrials	-	1.7%
Real Estate	-	0.4%
Technology	-	8.5%
Utilities	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

SDOW vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDOW

SDOW Risk / Return Rank: 1
SDOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SDOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SDOW Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SDOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
SDOW Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

SDOW vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) 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.

	SDOW	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.19	2.52	-3.71
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.81	2.95	-4.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.80	1.39	-0.59
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.99	3.43	-4.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.58	14.51	-16.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDOW vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDOW Sharpe Ratio is -1.19, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDOW 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

	SDOW	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.19	2.52	-3.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.57	0.49	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.73	0.57	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.78	0.53	-1.31

Drawdowns

SDOW vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDOW drawdown since its inception was -99.96%, which is greater than SPXL's maximum drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDOW and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDOW	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.96%	-76.86%	-23.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.45%	-26.77%	-16.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-74.39%	-48.95%	-25.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-82.35%	-63.80%	-18.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.26%	-76.86%	-22.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.96%	0.00%	-99.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.43%	-15.73%	-73.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	27.35%	6.32%	+21.03%

Volatility

SDOW vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW) has a higher volatility of 8.83% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) at 8.21%. This indicates that SDOW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDOW	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.83%	8.21%	+0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.90%	26.62%	+1.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.02%	35.34%	+0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.26%	50.23%	-5.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.13%	53.42%	-1.29%

SDOW vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SDOW vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

SDOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.71%, more than SPXL's 0.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDOW ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30	5.71%	5.80%	8.30%	5.38%	0.36%	0.00%	0.52%	2.17%	1.23%	0.09%
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 SDOW and SPXL in my portfolio?

SDOW and SPXL have a correlation of -0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDOW or SPXL?

SDOW has higher volatility (8.83%) compared to SPXL (8.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDOW dropped -99.96% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, SDOW or SPXL?

On 10-year performance, SPXL leads with 30.47% vs -38.16% for SDOW. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, SPXL has been the lower-risk option at 8.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDOW or SPXL?

Over the 10-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 30.47% return vs -38.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDOW or SPXL?

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

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

SDOW has the higher dividend yield at 5.71%, compared with 0.51% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between SDOW and SPXL?

SDOW tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average (-300%), while SPXL tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SDOW and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -1.19), 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.