SOXL vs. VUSB

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) and VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index, while VUSB is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. SOXL is passively managed, while VUSB is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SOXL returned 42.03%/yr vs 3.42%/yr for VUSB. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SOXL charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VUSB.

Performance

SOXL vs. VUSB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOXL achieves a 403.07% return, which is significantly higher than VUSB's 1.33% return.

SOXL

• 1D: 15.83%
• 1M: 19.50%
• YTD: 403.07%
• 6M: 340.59%
• 1Y: 1,006.21%
• 3Y*: 112.77%
• 5Y*: 42.03%
• 10Y*: 61.24%

VUSB

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 1.33%
• 6M: 1.71%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 5.34%
• 5Y*: 3.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

SOXL vs. VUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	403.07%	54.91%	-12.31%	226.98%	-85.66%	56.82%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.33%	5.20%	5.68%	5.52%	-0.36%	0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXL and VUSB is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2021	0.08

SOXL vs. VUSB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SOXL	VUSB
Technology	100.0%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SOXL vs. VUSB — 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: 99
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

VUSB

VUSB Risk / Return Rank: 99
VUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
VUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. VUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). 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	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	9.42	6.95	+2.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.27	12.58	-8.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	3.36	-1.74
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	23.39	12.23	+11.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	78.42	70.50	+7.92
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. VUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXL Sharpe Ratio is 9.42, which is higher than the VUSB Sharpe Ratio of 6.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXL and VUSB, 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	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.42	6.95	+2.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	4.12	-3.73
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	4.06	-3.58

Drawdowns

SOXL vs. VUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXL drawdown since its inception was -90.46%, which is greater than VUSB's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXL and VUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOXL	VUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.46%	-1.79%	-88.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.47%	-0.37%	-43.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-87.88%	-0.46%	-87.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-90.46%	-1.79%	-88.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-90.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.63%	-0.08%	-24.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.01%	-0.27%	-34.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.94%	0.06%	+12.88%

Volatility

SOXL vs. VUSB - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a higher volatility of 56.07% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) at 0.18%. This indicates that SOXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOXL	VUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	56.07%	0.18%	+55.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	90.69%	0.53%	+90.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	108.13%	0.65%	+107.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	108.35%	0.83%	+107.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	99.68%	0.82%	+98.86%

SOXL vs. VUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXL has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VUSB's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXL vs. VUSB - Dividend Comparison

SOXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.04%, less than VUSB's 4.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	0.04%	0.34%	1.18%	0.51%	1.07%	0.04%	0.05%	0.38%	1.30%	0.09%	4.84%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	4.39%	4.63%	5.16%	4.45%	1.56%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SOXL and VUSB in my portfolio?

SOXL and VUSB have a correlation of 0.12, 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 VUSB?

SOXL has higher volatility (56.07%) compared to VUSB (0.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXL dropped -90.46% vs VUSB's -1.79%.

Which ETF is better, SOXL or VUSB?

On 5-year performance, SOXL leads with 42.03% vs 3.42% for VUSB. On fees, VUSB is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VUSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SOXL or VUSB?

Over the 5-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 42.03% return vs 3.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SOXL or VUSB?

VUSB is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SOXL.

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

VUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.39%, compared with 0.04% for SOXL.

What is the main difference between SOXL and VUSB?

SOXL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VUSB is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SOXL and 0.10% for VUSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (9.42 vs 6.95), 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.