SPXU vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SPXU (ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPXU is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index (-300%), while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPXU returned -41.98%/yr vs 30.27%/yr for SPXL. At a correlation of -1.00, they often move in opposite directions. SPXU charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

SPXU vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXU achieves a -20.19% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 17.21% return. Over the past 10 years, SPXU has underperformed SPXL with an annualized return of -41.98%, while SPXL has yielded a comparatively higher 30.27% annualized return.

SPXU

• 1D: 4.24%
• 1M: 3.93%
• YTD: -20.19%
• 6M: -17.81%
• 1Y: -43.92%
• 3Y*: -40.85%
• 5Y*: -33.55%
• 10Y*: -41.98%

SPXL

• 1D: -4.48%
• 1M: -5.53%
• YTD: 17.21%
• 6M: 13.86%
• 1Y: 62.56%
• 3Y*: 46.39%
• 5Y*: 20.70%
• 10Y*: 30.27%

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

SPXU vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	-20.19%	-41.73%	-43.31%	-46.02%	36.05%	-57.94%	-70.39%	-56.27%	3.97%	-44.23%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	17.21%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-25.11%	71.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXU and SPXL is -1.00, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	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 Jun 25, 2009	-1.00

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

SPXU vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXU	SPXL
Financial Services	82.5%	11.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	39.0%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

SPXU vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXU

SPXU Risk / Return Rank: 1
SPXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Martin Ratio Rank: 1

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 49
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

SPXU vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) 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.

	SPXU	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.18	1.69	-2.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.90	2.15	-4.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.79	1.28	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.94	2.35	-3.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.61	9.57	-11.18

SPXU vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXU Sharpe Ratio is -1.18, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXU and SPXL, 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

SPXU vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXU drawdown since its inception was -99.99%, which is greater than SPXL's maximum drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXU and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXU	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.99%	-76.86%	-23.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-47.11%	-26.77%	-20.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-84.36%	-48.95%	-35.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-90.23%	-63.80%	-26.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.63%	-76.86%	-22.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.99%	-10.44%	-89.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-93.33%	-16.09%	-77.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.37%	6.56%	+22.81%

Volatility

SPXU vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) have volatilities of 14.32% and 14.70%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPXU	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.32%	14.70%	-0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.53%	29.55%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.35%	37.43%	-0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.62%	50.54%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.43%	53.47%	-0.04%

SPXU vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXU has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPXU vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

SPXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.35%, more than SPXL's 0.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.57%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	7.35%	7.02%	9.53%	7.06%	0.39%	0.00%	0.70%	2.14%	1.41%	0.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXU and SPXL in my portfolio?

SPXU and SPXL have a correlation of -1.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPXU or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (14.70%) compared to SPXU (14.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXU dropped -99.99% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, SPXU or SPXL?

On 10-year performance, SPXL leads with 30.27% vs -41.98% for SPXU. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, SPXU has been the lower-risk option at 14.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXU or SPXL?

Over the 10-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 30.27% return vs -41.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXU or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SPXU.

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

SPXU has the higher dividend yield at 7.35%, compared with 0.57% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between SPXU and SPXL?

SPXU is categorized as S&P 500, while SPXL is Leveraged Equities. SPXU tracks S&P 500 Index (-300%), while SPXL tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SPXU and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs -1.18), 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.