SPLV vs. SPXL
SPLV (Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPLV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Low Volatility Index, while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPLV returned 8.17%/yr vs 28.37%/yr for SPXL. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPLV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.
Performance
SPLV vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SPLV achieves a 8.41% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 20.97% return. Over the past 10 years, SPLV has underperformed SPXL with an annualized return of 8.17%, while SPXL has yielded a comparatively higher 28.37% annualized return.
SPLV
- 1D
- -0.48%
- 1M
- 4.64%
- 6M
- 5.73%
- YTD
- 8.41%
- 1Y
- 7.68%
- 3Y*
- 9.33%
- 5Y*
- 6.29%
- 10Y*
- 8.17%
SPXL
- 1D
- -3.10%
- 1M
- 0.49%
- 6M
- 16.58%
- YTD
- 20.97%
- 1Y
- 47.72%
- 3Y*
- 41.59%
- 5Y*
- 20.48%
- 10Y*
- 28.37%
SPLV vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF | 8.41% | 4.10% | 13.93% | 0.53% | -4.88% | 24.13% | -1.39% | 27.87% | -0.19% | 17.32% |
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF | 20.97% | 31.94% | 63.61% | 69.49% | -56.55% | 98.75% | 9.64% | 102.80% | -25.11% | 71.03% |
Correlation
The correlation between SPLV and SPXL is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.02 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2011 | 0.70 |
Over the past year, the correlation between SPLV and SPXL has dropped to 0.02 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
SPLV vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank
SPLV
SPXL
SPLV vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| SPLV | SPXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.65 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.23 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.04 | 1.79 | -0.75 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.39 | 7.05 | -4.66 |
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Drawdowns
SPLV vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SPLV drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPLV and SPXL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SPLV | SPXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.26% | -76.86% | +40.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.41% | -26.77% | +19.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.64% | -48.95% | +39.31% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.26% | -63.80% | +46.54% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.26% | -76.86% | +40.60% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.48% | -7.56% | +7.08% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.54% | -16.06% | +12.52% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.22% | 6.79% | -3.57% |
Volatility
SPLV vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is 4.59%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 11.10%. This indicates that SPLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SPLV | SPXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.59% | 11.10% | -6.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.06% | 30.23% | -22.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.63% | 37.82% | -27.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.59% | 50.59% | -38.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.40% | 53.39% | -37.99% |
SPLV vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison
SPLV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.
Dividends
SPLV vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison
SPLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, more than SPXL's 0.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF | 2.10% | 2.04% | 1.88% | 2.45% | 2.11% | 1.51% | 2.12% | 2.08% | 2.18% | 2.03% | 2.03% | 2.28% |
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF | 0.54% | 0.69% | 0.74% | 0.98% | 0.32% | 0.11% | 0.22% | 0.84% | 1.02% | 3.88% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SPLV and SPXL have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SPXL has higher volatility (11.10%) compared to SPLV (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPLV dropped -36.26% vs SPXL's -76.86%.
On 10-year performance, SPXL leads with 28.37% vs 8.17% for SPLV. On fees, SPLV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, SPLV has been the lower-risk option at 4.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 28.37% return vs 8.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPLV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for SPXL.
SPLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.10%, compared with 0.54% for SPXL.
SPLV is categorized as S&P 500, while SPXL is Leveraged Equities. SPLV tracks S&P 500 Low Volatility Index, while SPXL tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SPLV and 0.84% for SPXL.
SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 0.73), 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.
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