SPXL vs. SSO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) and SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P500) are both Leveraged Equities funds tracking the S&P 500, from Direxion and ProShares respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPXL returned 30.20%/yr vs 24.21%/yr for SSO. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SPXL charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for SSO.

Performance

SPXL vs. SSO - 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 ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXL achieves a 28.14% return, which is significantly higher than SSO's 19.37% return. Over the past 10 years, SPXL has outperformed SSO with an annualized return of 30.20%, while SSO has yielded a comparatively lower 24.21% annualized return.

SPXL

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 14.77%
• YTD: 28.14%
• 6M: 26.88%
• 1Y: 81.54%
• 3Y*: 52.83%
• 5Y*: 23.51%
• 10Y*: 30.20%

SSO

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 9.75%
• YTD: 19.37%
• 6M: 18.81%
• 1Y: 52.69%
• 3Y*: 37.56%
• 5Y*: 19.62%
• 10Y*: 24.21%

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

SPXL vs. SSO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	28.14%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-25.11%	71.03%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	19.37%	26.19%	43.48%	46.65%	-38.98%	60.57%	21.54%	63.45%	-14.60%	44.35%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXL and SSO is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2008	1.00

The correlation between SPXL and SSO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPXL vs. SSO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXL	SSO
Technology	8.5%	35.6%
Financial Services	2.6%	11.8%
Communication Services	2.4%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	2.2%	10.1%
Healthcare	1.9%	8.5%
Industrials	1.7%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	4.9%
Energy	0.8%	3.5%
Utilities	0.6%	2.4%
Real Estate	0.4%	1.9%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.8%

Return for Risk

SPXL vs. SSO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

SSO

SSO Risk / Return Rank: 62
SSO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SSO Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SSO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SSO Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SSO Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. SSO - 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 ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). 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.

	SPXL	SSO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.25	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	2.86	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.38	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	2.91	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.94	12.80	+0.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPXL vs. SSO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the SSO Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXL and SSO, 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

	SPXL	SSO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.25	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.59	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.68	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.42	+0.11

Drawdowns

SPXL vs. SSO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXL drawdown since its inception was -76.86%, smaller than the maximum SSO drawdown of -84.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXL and SSO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXL	SSO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.86%	-84.67%	+7.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.77%	-18.17%	-8.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.95%	-35.21%	-13.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.80%	-46.73%	-17.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.86%	-59.34%	-17.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.08%	-1.40%	-0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.72%	-19.57%	+3.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.32%	4.13%	+2.19%

Volatility

SPXL vs. SSO - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a higher volatility of 8.49% compared to ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) at 5.66%. This indicates that SPXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SSO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPXL	SSO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.49%	5.66%	+2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.67%	17.78%	+8.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.39%	23.60%	+11.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.24%	33.65%	+16.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.42%	35.89%	+17.53%

SPXL vs. SSO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXL has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is lower than SSO's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPXL vs. SSO - Dividend Comparison

SPXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than SSO's 0.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.52%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%	0.00%	0.00%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	0.62%	0.68%	0.85%	0.18%	0.50%	0.18%	0.20%	0.50%	0.75%	0.39%	0.51%	0.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXL and SSO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, SPXL and SSO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SPXL or SSO?

SPXL has higher volatility (8.49%) compared to SSO (5.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXL dropped -76.86% vs SSO's -84.67%.

Which ETF is better, SPXL or SSO?

On 10-year performance, SPXL leads with 30.20% vs 24.21% for SSO. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, SSO has been the lower-risk option at 5.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXL or SSO?

Over the 10-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 30.20% return vs 24.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXL or SSO?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SSO.

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

SSO has the higher dividend yield at 0.62%, compared with 0.52% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between SPXL and SSO?

Both ETFs track S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.84% for SPXL and 0.87% for SSO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.25), 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.