URTY vs. UTSL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

URTY (ProShares UltraPro Russell2000) and UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds - URTY tracks the Russell 2000 Index (300%) while UTSL tracks the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, URTY returned -6.71%/yr vs 8.32%/yr for UTSL. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URTY charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for UTSL.

Performance

URTY vs. UTSL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) and Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URTY achieves a 46.44% return, which is significantly higher than UTSL's 1.14% return.

URTY

• 1D: -4.07%
• 1M: 9.06%
• YTD: 46.44%
• 6M: 40.44%
• 1Y: 117.82%
• 3Y*: 27.59%
• 5Y*: -6.71%
• 10Y*: 7.72%

UTSL

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: -17.87%
• YTD: 1.14%
• 6M: -5.29%
• 1Y: 9.70%
• 3Y*: 20.67%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: —

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

URTY vs. UTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URTY ProShares UltraPro Russell2000	46.44%	9.26%	7.38%	24.43%	-62.81%	28.47%	-7.72%	72.37%	-39.59%	31.32%
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	1.14%	29.03%	54.24%	-35.55%	-14.06%	48.16%	-38.58%	81.07%	-2.27%	11.26%

Correlation

The correlation between URTY and UTSL is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2017	0.31

URTY vs. UTSL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URTY	UTSL
Financial Services	25.3%	-
Technology	7.3%	-
Industrials	6.4%	-
Healthcare	6.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.9%	-
Energy	2.4%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	-
Utilities	1.2%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.8%	-
Communication Services	0.8%	-

Return for Risk

URTY vs. UTSL — Risk / Return Rank

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

URTY

URTY Risk / Return Rank: 59
URTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
URTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
URTY Omega Ratio Rank: 47
URTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
URTY Martin Ratio Rank: 65

UTSL

UTSL Risk / Return Rank: 13
UTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
UTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
UTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 13
UTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
UTSL Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

URTY vs. UTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) and Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL). 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.

	URTY	UTSL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	0.22	+1.85
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	0.60	+1.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.07	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	0.34	+3.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.96	0.73	+11.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

URTY vs. UTSL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTY Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the UTSL Sharpe Ratio of 0.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URTY and UTSL, 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

	URTY	UTSL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	0.22	+1.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.10	0.16	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.11	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.13	+0.07

Drawdowns

URTY vs. UTSL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URTY drawdown since its inception was -88.09%, which is greater than UTSL's maximum drawdown of -79.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URTY and UTSL.

Drawdown Indicators

	URTY	UTSL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.09%	-79.55%	-8.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.56%	-28.45%	-4.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-65.85%	-46.22%	-19.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-82.76%	-68.01%	-14.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-88.09%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.71%	-25.53%	-14.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.79%	-33.23%	-1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.89%	13.34%	-3.45%

Volatility

URTY vs. UTSL - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) and Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) have volatilities of 17.18% and 16.50%, 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

	URTY	UTSL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.18%	16.50%	+0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.37%	34.86%	+5.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	57.33%	43.41%	+13.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	67.43%	52.02%	+15.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	69.32%	59.28%	+10.04%

URTY vs. UTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison

URTY has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than UTSL's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

URTY vs. UTSL - Dividend Comparison

URTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.64%, less than UTSL's 1.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
URTY ProShares UltraPro Russell2000	0.64%	1.02%	1.16%	0.55%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.18%	0.28%	0.00%	0.03%
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	1.80%	1.69%	1.61%	3.61%	1.15%	1.19%	1.40%	5.01%	1.46%	0.57%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URTY and UTSL in my portfolio?

URTY and UTSL have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URTY or UTSL?

URTY has higher volatility (17.18%) compared to UTSL (16.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URTY dropped -88.09% vs UTSL's -79.55%.

Which ETF is better, URTY or UTSL?

On 5-year performance, UTSL leads with 8.32% vs -6.71% for URTY. On fees, URTY is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, UTSL has been the lower-risk option at 16.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URTY or UTSL?

Over the 5-year period, UTSL has performed better with a 8.32% return vs -6.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URTY or UTSL?

URTY is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for UTSL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, URTY or UTSL?

UTSL has the higher dividend yield at 1.80%, compared with 0.64% for URTY.

What is the main difference between URTY and UTSL?

URTY tracks Russell 2000 Index (300%), while UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for URTY and 0.99% for UTSL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

URTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 0.22), 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.