TZA vs. SPXL
TZA (Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - TZA tracks the Russell 2000 Index (-300%) while SPXL tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TZA returned -44.17%/yr vs 30.27%/yr for SPXL. At a correlation of -0.85, they often move in opposite directions. TZA charges 1.11%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.
Performance
TZA vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TZA achieves a -46.35% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 17.21% return. Over the past 10 years, TZA has underperformed SPXL with an annualized return of -44.17%, while SPXL has yielded a comparatively higher 30.27% annualized return.
TZA
- 1D
- 2.05%
- 1M
- -12.69%
- YTD
- -46.35%
- 6M
- -42.28%
- 1Y
- -67.58%
- 3Y*
- -46.88%
- 5Y*
- -30.52%
- 10Y*
- -44.17%
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%
TZA vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TZA Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares | -46.35% | -40.22% | -32.22% | -41.19% | 30.21% | -50.80% | -80.43% | -53.25% | 25.06% | -38.19% |
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 TZA and SPXL is -0.79, 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 | -0.79 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.78 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.82 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2008 | -0.85 |
The correlation between TZA and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.85 to -0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TZA vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank
TZA
SPXL
TZA vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares (TZA) 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.
| TZA | SPXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.84 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.29 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.77 | 1.28 | -0.51 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -1.00 | 2.35 | -3.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.56 | 9.57 | -11.14 |
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Drawdowns
TZA vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TZA drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than SPXL's maximum drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TZA and SPXL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TZA | SPXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -100.00% | -76.86% | -23.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -68.07% | -26.77% | -41.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -89.28% | -48.95% | -40.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -91.56% | -63.80% | -27.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -99.74% | -76.86% | -22.88% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -100.00% | -10.44% | -89.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -97.99% | -16.09% | -81.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 43.46% | 6.56% | +36.90% |
Volatility
TZA vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison
Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares (TZA) has a higher volatility of 19.17% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) at 14.70%. This indicates that TZA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| TZA | SPXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 19.17% | 14.70% | +4.47% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 42.84% | 29.55% | +13.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 58.62% | 37.43% | +21.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 67.66% | 50.54% | +17.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 68.98% | 53.47% | +15.51% |
TZA vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison
TZA has a 1.11% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.
Dividends
TZA vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison
TZA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.35%, 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% |
TZA Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares | 5.35% | 5.08% | 5.40% | 5.49% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.21% | 1.56% | 0.63% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TZA and SPXL have a correlation of -0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TZA has higher volatility (19.17%) compared to SPXL (14.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TZA dropped -100.00% vs SPXL's -76.86%.
On 10-year performance, SPXL leads with 30.27% vs -44.17% for TZA. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, SPXL has been the lower-risk option at 14.70%. 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 30.27% return vs -44.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 1.11% for TZA.
TZA has the higher dividend yield at 5.35%, compared with 0.57% for SPXL.
TZA tracks Russell 2000 Index (-300%), while SPXL tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 1.11% for TZA and 0.84% for SPXL.
SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs -1.16), 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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