UTSL vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UTSL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%), while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UTSL returned 8.52%/yr vs 9.31%/yr for XLU. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. UTSL charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

UTSL vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UTSL achieves a 2.68% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.55% return.

UTSL

• 1D: 5.67%
• 1M: -17.30%
• YTD: 2.68%
• 6M: -4.83%
• 1Y: 11.96%
• 3Y*: 21.28%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: -5.69%
• YTD: 3.55%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 9.88%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 9.31%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

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

UTSL vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	2.68%	29.03%	54.24%	-35.55%	-14.06%	48.16%	-38.58%	81.07%	-2.27%	11.26%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.55%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	5.35%

Correlation

The correlation between UTSL and XLU 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2017	0.98

The correlation between UTSL and XLU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

UTSL vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UTSL	XLU
Utilities	100.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

UTSL vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

UTSL

UTSL Risk / Return Rank: 14
UTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
UTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
UTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 14
UTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
UTSL Martin Ratio Rank: 13

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 21
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

UTSL vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	UTSL	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.28	0.68	-0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	1.01	-0.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.13	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.46	1.11	-0.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.99	2.52	-1.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UTSL vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UTSL Sharpe Ratio is 0.28, which is lower than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UTSL and XLU, 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

	UTSL	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28	0.68	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.54	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.40	-0.26

Drawdowns

UTSL vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UTSL drawdown since its inception was -79.55%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTSL and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	UTSL	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.55%	-51.98%	-27.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.45%	-9.18%	-19.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.22%	-17.26%	-28.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-68.01%	-25.26%	-42.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.40%	-7.38%	-17.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.24%	-10.22%	-23.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.24%	4.07%	+9.17%

Volatility

UTSL vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) has a higher volatility of 16.49% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.41%. This indicates that UTSL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UTSL	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.49%	5.41%	+11.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.50%	11.76%	+23.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.39%	14.56%	+28.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.02%	17.32%	+34.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	59.29%	19.26%	+40.03%

UTSL vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

UTSL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

UTSL vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

UTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%, less than XLU's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	1.77%	1.69%	1.61%	3.61%	1.15%	1.19%	1.40%	5.01%	1.46%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.71%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UTSL and XLU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, UTSL and XLU 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, UTSL or XLU?

UTSL has higher volatility (16.49%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTSL dropped -79.55% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, UTSL or XLU?

On 5-year performance, XLU leads with 9.31% vs 8.52% for UTSL. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UTSL or XLU?

Over the 5-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.31% return vs 8.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UTSL or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for UTSL.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 1.77% for UTSL.

What is the main difference between UTSL and XLU?

UTSL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%), while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for UTSL and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.68 vs 0.28), 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.