VADGX vs. SPXS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VADGX (Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund) and SPXS (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares) are both funds - VADGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SPXS is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index (-300%). Over the past 3 years, VADGX returned 9.54%/yr vs -43.09%/yr for SPXS. At a correlation of -0.80, they often move in opposite directions. VADGX charges 0.45%/yr vs 1.08%/yr for SPXS.

Performance

VADGX vs. SPXS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VADGX achieves a 1.18% return, which is significantly higher than SPXS's -27.08% return.

VADGX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 2.86%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 1.88%
• 1Y: 7.23%
• 3Y*: 9.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPXS

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: -14.03%
• YTD: -27.08%
• 6M: -27.23%
• 1Y: -50.67%
• 3Y*: -43.09%
• 5Y*: -35.40%
• 10Y*: -42.14%

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

VADGX vs. SPXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	1.18%	8.52%	10.69%	10.42%	-3.88%	3.62%
SPXS Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares	-27.08%	-41.53%	-42.84%	-45.97%	36.14%	-7.93%

Correlation

The correlation between VADGX and SPXS is -0.74, 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	-0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2021	-0.80

The correlation between VADGX and SPXS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.80 to -0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VADGX vs. SPXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VADGX

VADGX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VADGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VADGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VADGX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VADGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
VADGX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

SPXS

SPXS Risk / Return Rank: 0
SPXS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
SPXS Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
SPXS Omega Ratio Rank: 0
SPXS Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
SPXS Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

VADGX vs. SPXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS). 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.

	VADGX	SPXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	-1.43	+2.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.13	-2.45	+3.57
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	0.74	+0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.71	-1.01	+1.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.56	-1.72	+4.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VADGX vs. SPXS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VADGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is higher than the SPXS Sharpe Ratio of -1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VADGX and SPXS, 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

	VADGX	SPXS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74	-1.43	+2.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.71	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	-0.84	+1.32

Drawdowns

VADGX vs. SPXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VADGX drawdown since its inception was -15.75%, smaller than the maximum SPXS drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VADGX and SPXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VADGX	SPXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.75%	-100.00%	+84.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.07%	-50.77%	+39.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.73%	-84.13%	+69.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-90.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.63%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-100.00%	+99.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.48%	-96.30%	+92.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	29.88%	-26.82%

Volatility

VADGX vs. SPXS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) is 2.38%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS) has a volatility of 8.20%. This indicates that VADGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPXS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VADGX	SPXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.38%	8.20%	-5.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.81%	26.76%	-18.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.18%	35.48%	-25.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.63%	50.38%	-36.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.63%	53.55%	-39.92%

VADGX vs. SPXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VADGX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXS's 1.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

VADGX vs. SPXS - Dividend Comparison

VADGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than SPXS's 5.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SPXS Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares	5.02%	4.93%	6.18%	5.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.51%	1.74%	0.58%
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	1.03%	1.04%	1.98%	1.25%	0.84%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VADGX and SPXS in my portfolio?

VADGX and SPXS have a correlation of -0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VADGX or SPXS?

SPXS has higher volatility (8.20%) compared to VADGX (2.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VADGX dropped -15.75% vs SPXS's -100.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VADGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.74 vs -1.43), 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.