VALG vs. PILL

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

VALG (Leverage Shares 2X Long VALE Daily ETF) and PILL (Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds - VALG tracks the Vale S.A. (VALE) while PILL tracks the Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VALG charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.98%/yr for PILL.

Performance

VALG vs. PILL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Leverage Shares 2X Long VALE Daily ETF (VALG) and Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VALG achieves a 3.59% return, which is significantly lower than PILL's 50.23% return.

VALG

• 1D: -5.84%
• 1M: -22.49%
• 6M: -17.37%
• YTD: 3.59%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PILL

• 1D: -2.74%
• 1M: 36.93%
• 6M: 52.58%
• YTD: 50.23%
• 1Y: 218.71%
• 3Y*: 32.71%
• 5Y*: -1.10%
• 10Y*: —

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

VALG vs. PILL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VALG Leverage Shares 2X Long VALE Daily ETF	3.59%	1.57%
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	50.23%	4.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VALG and PILL is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2025	0.30

Return for Risk

VALG vs. PILL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VALG

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

PILL

PILL Risk / Return Rank: 93
PILL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PILL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PILL Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PILL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
PILL Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

VALG vs. PILL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Leverage Shares 2X Long VALE Daily ETF (VALG) and Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL). 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.

	VALG	PILL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	3.42	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.43	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.42	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	6.63	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	21.65	—

Drawdowns

VALG vs. PILL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VALG drawdown since its inception was -41.01%, smaller than the maximum PILL drawdown of -88.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VALG and PILL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VALG	PILL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.01%	-88.76%	+47.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-33.21%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-60.43%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-83.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-40.05%	-48.53%	+8.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.78%	-58.46%	+42.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	10.15%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VALG	PILL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	21.20%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	50.25%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	73.56%	64.34%	+9.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	73.56%	61.09%	+12.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	73.56%	63.94%	+9.62%

VALG vs. PILL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VALG has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than PILL's 0.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

VALG vs. PILL - Dividend Comparison

VALG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PILL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	0.37%	0.69%	1.28%	1.83%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.38%	0.91%	0.10%
VALG Leverage Shares 2X Long VALE Daily ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VALG and PILL in my portfolio?

VALG and PILL have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VALG or PILL?

On fees, VALG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VALG or PILL?

VALG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for PILL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VALG or PILL?

PILL has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.00% for VALG.

What is the main difference between VALG and PILL?

VALG tracks Vale S.A. (VALE), while PILL tracks Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index. They also come from different issuers: Leverage Shares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for VALG and 0.98% for PILL.