UTSL vs. SOXS
UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) and SOXS (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - UTSL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%), while SOXS is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the PHLX Semiconductor Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UTSL returned 12.23%/yr vs -80.25%/yr for SOXS. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. UTSL charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.08%/yr for SOXS.
Performance
UTSL vs. SOXS - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, UTSL achieves a 11.66% return, which is significantly higher than SOXS's -93.50% return.
UTSL
- 1D
- 2.11%
- 1M
- -1.85%
- YTD
- 11.66%
- 6M
- 12.07%
- 1Y
- 24.77%
- 3Y*
- 24.32%
- 5Y*
- 12.23%
- 10Y*
- —
SOXS
- 1D
- 22.42%
- 1M
- -47.74%
- YTD
- -93.50%
- 6M
- -93.24%
- 1Y
- -97.76%
- 3Y*
- -87.41%
- 5Y*
- -80.25%
- 10Y*
- -79.54%
UTSL vs. SOXS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares | 11.66% | 29.03% | 54.24% | -35.55% | -14.06% | 48.16% | -38.58% | 81.07% | -2.27% | 11.00% |
SOXS Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares | -93.50% | -85.53% | -59.55% | -84.56% | 15.76% | -80.94% | -92.90% | -83.81% | -19.39% | -56.06% |
Correlation
The correlation between UTSL and SOXS is -0.13, 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 | -0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.09 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.14 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017 | -0.14 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
UTSL vs. SOXS — Risk / Return Rank
UTSL
SOXS
UTSL vs. SOXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares (SOXS). 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.
| UTSL | SOXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.40 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +4.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 0.63 | +0.49 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.87 | -1.00 | +1.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.75 | -1.51 | +3.26 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
UTSL vs. SOXS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum UTSL drawdown since its inception was -79.55%, smaller than the maximum SOXS drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTSL and SOXS.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| UTSL | SOXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -79.55% | -100.00% | +20.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -28.45% | -97.94% | +69.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -46.22% | -99.87% | +53.65% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -68.01% | -99.98% | +31.97% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -100.00% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.79% | -100.00% | +82.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -33.16% | -92.61% | +59.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.20% | 67.48% | -53.28% |
Volatility
UTSL vs. SOXS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) is 15.77%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares (SOXS) has a volatility of 66.67%. This indicates that UTSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| UTSL | SOXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 15.77% | 66.67% | -50.90% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 35.31% | 100.39% | -65.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 43.76% | 117.32% | -73.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 51.96% | 111.39% | -59.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 59.18% | 102.09% | -42.91% |
UTSL vs. SOXS - Expense Ratio Comparison
UTSL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXS's 1.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
UTSL vs. SOXS - Dividend Comparison
UTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, less than SOXS's 83.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOXS Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares | 83.05% | 10.79% | 5.45% | 9.22% | 0.19% | 0.00% | 3.58% | 2.30% | 0.76% | 0.00% |
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares | 1.63% | 1.69% | 1.61% | 3.61% | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.40% | 5.01% | 1.46% | 0.57% |
Frequently Asked Questions
UTSL and SOXS have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOXS has higher volatility (66.67%) compared to UTSL (15.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTSL dropped -79.55% vs SOXS's -100.00%.
On 5-year performance, UTSL leads with 12.23% vs -80.25% for SOXS. On fees, UTSL is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, UTSL has been the lower-risk option at 15.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, UTSL has performed better with a 12.23% return vs -80.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
UTSL is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.08% for SOXS.
SOXS has the higher dividend yield at 83.05%, compared with 1.63% for UTSL.
UTSL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SOXS is Inverse Equities. UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%), while SOXS tracks PHLX Semiconductor Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 0.99% for UTSL and 1.08% for SOXS.
UTSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.57 vs -0.83), 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.
Find the right allocation for UTSL and SOXS
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer