VSTL vs. SOXL

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VSTL (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds. VSTL is actively managed, while SOXL is passively managed. Over the past year, VSTL returned -66.54% vs 376.55% for SOXL. Their 0.48 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VSTL charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SOXL.

Performance

VSTL vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSTL achieves a -35.33% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 172.95% return.

VSTL

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -6.33%
• 6M: -28.91%
• YTD: -35.33%
• 1Y: -66.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -58.65%

SOXL

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -36.78%
• 6M: 85.66%
• YTD: 172.95%
• 1Y: 376.55%
• 3Y*: 60.01%
• 5Y*: 21.65%
• 10Y*: 48.63%
• ALL TIME*: 38.01%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	$10.60B	$10.77B	$11.72B
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	$651.64K	$708.80K	$1.90M

VSTL vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	-35.33%	-37.40%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	172.95%	52.88%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTL and SOXL is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2025	0.48

Return for Risk

VSTL vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VSTL

VSTL Risk / Return Rank: 3
VSTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
VSTL Martin Ratio Rank: 1

SOXL

SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 90
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 85
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 94

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VSTL vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). 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.

	VSTL	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.69	2.77	-3.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.87	2.70	-3.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.36	-0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.94	5.22	-6.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	18.04	-19.41

VSTL vs. SOXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTL Sharpe Ratio is -0.69, which is lower than the SOXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTL and SOXL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VSTL vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTL drawdown since its inception was -71.42%, smaller than the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTL and SOXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTL	SOXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.42%	-90.46%	+19.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-71.42%	-69.42%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-87.88%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-90.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-90.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-68.28%	-61.86%	-6.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.67%	-35.00%	-8.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	48.96%	20.04%	+28.92%

Volatility

VSTL vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) is 25.95%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 52.68%. This indicates that VSTL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTL	SOXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.95%	52.68%	-26.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	68.40%	115.51%	-47.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	97.01%	130.99%	-33.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	97.03%	113.21%	-16.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	97.03%	102.11%	-5.08%

VSTL vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTL has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSTL vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison

VSTL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SOXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	0.01%	0.34%	1.18%	0.51%	1.07%	0.04%	0.05%	0.38%	1.30%	0.09%	4.84%
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	0.00%	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 VSTL and SOXL in my portfolio?

VSTL and SOXL have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTL or SOXL?

SOXL has higher volatility (52.68%) compared to VSTL (25.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTL dropped -71.42% vs SOXL's -90.46%.

Which ETF is better, VSTL or SOXL?

On 1-year performance, SOXL leads with 376.55% vs -66.54% for VSTL. On fees, SOXL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, VSTL has been the lower-risk option at 25.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VSTL or SOXL?

Over the 1-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 376.55% return vs -66.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSTL or SOXL?

SOXL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for VSTL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VSTL or SOXL?

SOXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for VSTL.

What is the main difference between VSTL and SOXL?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for VSTL and 0.75% for SOXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs -0.69), 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.