SPXL vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPXL returned 29.90%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for EEM. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPXL charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

SPXL vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXL achieves a 20.98% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 24.07% return. Over the past 10 years, SPXL has outperformed EEM with an annualized return of 29.90%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.91% annualized return.

SPXL

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -1.59%
• YTD: 20.98%
• 6M: 21.36%
• 1Y: 65.66%
• 3Y*: 47.11%
• 5Y*: 21.80%
• 10Y*: 29.90%

EEM

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 24.07%
• 6M: 26.94%
• 1Y: 45.22%
• 3Y*: 21.60%
• 5Y*: 6.56%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

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

SPXL vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	20.98%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-25.11%	71.03%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	24.07%	33.98%	6.49%	8.95%	-20.56%	-3.63%	17.02%	18.22%	-15.31%	37.26%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXL and EEM is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2008	0.74

The correlation between SPXL and EEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (5 years) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPXL vs. EEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXL	EEM
Technology	8.4%	43.6%
Financial Services	2.4%	17.5%
Communication Services	2.3%	5.7%
Consumer Cyclical	2.2%	8.1%
Healthcare	1.8%	2.5%
Industrials	1.7%	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	2.7%
Energy	0.7%	3.3%
Utilities	0.6%	2.0%
Real Estate	0.4%	0.9%
Basic Materials	0.4%	6.1%

Return for Risk

SPXL vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 58
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 64

EEM

EEM Risk / Return Rank: 75
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 78
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
EEM 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.

SPXL vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.

	SPXL	EEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.10	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.73	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.40	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	3.36	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.16	12.38	-2.23

SPXL vs. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXL Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXL and EEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPXL vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXL drawdown since its inception was -76.86%, which is greater than EEM's maximum drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXL and EEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXL	EEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.86%	-66.43%	-10.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.77%	-13.52%	-13.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.95%	-17.29%	-31.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.80%	-37.49%	-26.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.86%	-39.82%	-37.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.55%	-4.12%	-3.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.11%	-16.00%	-0.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.49%	3.67%	+2.82%

Volatility

SPXL vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a higher volatility of 13.20% compared to iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) at 10.80%. This indicates that SPXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPXL	EEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.20%	10.80%	+2.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.79%	19.39%	+9.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.81%	21.64%	+15.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.44%	19.26%	+31.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.50%	20.64%	+32.86%

SPXL vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXL has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPXL vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

SPXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.56%, less than EEM's 1.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	1.79%	2.22%	2.43%	2.63%	2.50%	1.99%	1.45%	2.76%	2.24%	1.89%	1.89%	2.49%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.56%	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

Can I hold both SPXL and EEM in my portfolio?

SPXL and EEM have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPXL or EEM?

SPXL has higher volatility (13.20%) compared to EEM (10.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXL dropped -76.86% vs EEM's -66.43%.

Which ETF is better, SPXL or EEM?

On 10-year performance, SPXL leads with 29.90% vs 9.91% for EEM. On fees, EEM is cheaper at 0.72% per year. On volatility, EEM has been the lower-risk option at 10.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXL or EEM?

Over the 10-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 29.90% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXL or EEM?

EEM is cheaper with a 0.72% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for SPXL.

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

EEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 0.56% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between SPXL and EEM?

SPXL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while EEM is Emerging Markets Diversified. SPXL tracks S&P 500, while EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.84% for SPXL and 0.72% for EEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.79), 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.