SOXL vs. NVDU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) and NVDU (Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion. SOXL is passively managed, while NVDU is actively managed. Over the past year, SOXL returned 1280.87% vs 90.38% for NVDU. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SOXL charges 0.75%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for NVDU.

Performance

SOXL vs. NVDU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) and Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF (NVDU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOXL achieves a 525.03% return, which is significantly higher than NVDU's 24.68% return.

SOXL

• 1D: -6.36%
• 1M: 82.23%
• YTD: 525.03%
• 6M: 481.71%
• 1Y: 1,280.87%
• 3Y*: 133.82%
• 5Y*: 46.78%
• 10Y*: 64.43%

NVDU

• 1D: 3.97%
• 1M: 21.27%
• YTD: 24.68%
• 6M: 26.89%
• 1Y: 90.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SOXL vs. NVDU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	525.03%	54.91%	-12.31%	48.48%
NVDU Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF	24.68%	33.65%	289.29%	9.96%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXL and NVDU is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.65

The correlation between SOXL and NVDU shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.65 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SOXL vs. NVDU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SOXL	NVDU
Technology	100.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SOXL vs. NVDU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SOXL

SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 99

NVDU

NVDU Risk / Return Rank: 38
NVDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
NVDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
NVDU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
NVDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
NVDU Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

SOXL vs. NVDU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) and Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF (NVDU). 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.

	SOXL	NVDU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	12.69	1.34	+11.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.98	1.96	+3.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.23	+0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	29.80	2.15	+27.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	102.14	4.90	+97.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SOXL vs. NVDU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXL Sharpe Ratio is 12.69, which is higher than the NVDU Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXL and NVDU, 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

	SOXL	NVDU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.69	1.34	+11.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	1.17	-0.66

Drawdowns

SOXL vs. NVDU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXL drawdown since its inception was -90.46%, which is greater than NVDU's maximum drawdown of -67.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXL and NVDU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOXL	NVDU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.46%	-67.27%	-23.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.47%	-42.27%	-1.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-87.88%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-90.46%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-90.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.36%	-15.08%	+8.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.01%	-18.83%	-16.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.66%	18.50%	-5.84%

Volatility

SOXL vs. NVDU - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a higher volatility of 41.05% compared to Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF (NVDU) at 24.76%. This indicates that SOXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NVDU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOXL	NVDU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	41.05%	24.76%	+16.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	81.57%	50.62%	+30.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	102.16%	67.91%	+34.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	107.25%	91.02%	+16.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	99.05%	91.02%	+8.03%

SOXL vs. NVDU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXL has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than NVDU's 1.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXL vs. NVDU - Dividend Comparison

SOXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than NVDU's 4.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
NVDU Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF	4.65%	5.68%	16.85%	0.63%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SOXL and NVDU in my portfolio?

SOXL and NVDU have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SOXL or NVDU?

SOXL has higher volatility (41.05%) compared to NVDU (24.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXL dropped -90.46% vs NVDU's -67.27%.

Which ETF is better, SOXL or NVDU?

On 1-year performance, SOXL leads with 1280.87% vs 90.38% for NVDU. On fees, SOXL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, NVDU has been the lower-risk option at 24.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SOXL or NVDU?

Over the 1-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 1280.87% return vs 90.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SOXL or NVDU?

SOXL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for NVDU.

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

NVDU has the higher dividend yield at 4.65%, compared with 0.03% for SOXL.

What is the main difference between SOXL and NVDU?

Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SOXL and 1.04% for NVDU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.69 vs 1.34), 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.