WTIU vs. SOXL

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

WTIU (MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds - WTIU tracks the Solactive MicroSectors Energy Index - Benchmark TR Gross (--300%) while SOXL tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, WTIU returned 3.50%/yr vs 104.66%/yr for SOXL. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WTIU charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SOXL.

Performance

WTIU vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN (WTIU) 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, WTIU achieves a 77.62% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 334.31% return.

WTIU

• 1D: -5.44%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 77.62%
• 6M: 54.36%
• 1Y: 102.77%
• 3Y*: 3.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SOXL

• 1D: -30.51%
• 1M: 10.06%
• YTD: 334.31%
• 6M: 292.56%
• 1Y: 873.79%
• 3Y*: 104.66%
• 5Y*: 36.47%
• 10Y*: 58.09%

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

WTIU vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
WTIU MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN	77.62%	-17.13%	-29.63%	-28.42%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	334.31%	54.91%	-12.31%	80.27%

Correlation

The correlation between WTIU and SOXL is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2023	0.12

The correlation between WTIU and SOXL shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

WTIU vs. SOXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

WTIU vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

WTIU

WTIU Risk / Return Rank: 45
WTIU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
WTIU Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
WTIU Omega Ratio Rank: 40
WTIU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
WTIU Martin Ratio Rank: 42

SOXL

SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 95
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

WTIU vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN (WTIU) 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.

	WTIU	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	8.26	-6.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.99	4.08	-2.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.59	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	20.30	-17.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.43	68.57	-62.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WTIU vs. SOXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WTIU Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is lower than the SOXL Sharpe Ratio of 8.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WTIU 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WTIU	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	8.26	-6.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.34	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.12	0.47	-0.59

Drawdowns

WTIU vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WTIU drawdown since its inception was -75.73%, smaller than the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTIU and SOXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	WTIU	SOXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.73%	-90.46%	+14.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-39.11%	-43.47%	+4.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-75.73%	-87.88%	+12.15%
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	-37.04%	-34.93%	-2.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.18%	-35.01%	-4.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.05%	12.85%	+3.20%

Volatility

WTIU vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN (WTIU) is 22.65%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 55.19%. This indicates that WTIU 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

	WTIU	SOXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.65%	55.19%	-32.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	55.14%	89.77%	-34.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	67.36%	106.94%	-39.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	70.60%	108.10%	-37.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	70.60%	99.53%	-28.93%

WTIU vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

WTIU has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

WTIU vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison

WTIU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SOXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.04%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	0.04%	0.34%	1.18%	0.51%	1.07%	0.04%	0.05%	0.38%	1.30%	0.09%	4.84%
WTIU MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN	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 WTIU and SOXL in my portfolio?

WTIU and SOXL have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WTIU or SOXL?

SOXL has higher volatility (55.19%) compared to WTIU (22.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WTIU dropped -75.73% vs SOXL's -90.46%.

Which ETF is better, WTIU or SOXL?

On 3-year performance, SOXL leads with 104.66% vs 3.50% for WTIU. On fees, SOXL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, WTIU has been the lower-risk option at 22.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WTIU or SOXL?

Over the 3-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 104.66% return vs 3.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WTIU or SOXL?

SOXL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for WTIU.

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

SOXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.04%, compared with 0.00% for WTIU.

What is the main difference between WTIU and SOXL?

WTIU tracks Solactive MicroSectors Energy Index - Benchmark TR Gross (--300%), while SOXL tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: REX and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for WTIU and 0.75% for SOXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.26 vs 1.53), 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.