WTIU vs. UTSL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

WTIU (MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN) and UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds - WTIU tracks the Solactive MicroSectors Energy Index - Benchmark TR Gross (--300%) while UTSL tracks the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, WTIU returned 4.54%/yr vs 21.28%/yr for UTSL. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WTIU charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for UTSL.

Performance

WTIU vs. UTSL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN (WTIU) and Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WTIU achieves a 84.16% return, which is significantly higher than UTSL's 2.68% return.

WTIU

• 1D: 2.52%
• 1M: -7.88%
• YTD: 84.16%
• 6M: 66.93%
• 1Y: 103.84%
• 3Y*: 4.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UTSL

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

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

WTIU vs. UTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
WTIU MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN	84.16%	-17.13%	-29.63%	-28.42%
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	2.68%	29.03%	54.24%	-27.33%

Correlation

The correlation between WTIU and UTSL is 0.02, 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	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2023	0.19

The correlation between WTIU and UTSL shifts across timeframes, from 0.02 (1 year) to 0.19 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

WTIU vs. UTSL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

WTIU vs. UTSL — Risk / Return Rank

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

WTIU

WTIU Risk / Return Rank: 44
WTIU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
WTIU Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
WTIU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
WTIU Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
WTIU Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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

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. UTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN (WTIU) and Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL). 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	UTSL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	0.28	+1.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	0.66	+1.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.08	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	0.46	+2.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.09	0.99	+6.09
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. UTSL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WTIU Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the UTSL Sharpe Ratio of 0.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WTIU and UTSL, 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	UTSL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	0.28	+1.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.11	0.14	-0.25

Drawdowns

WTIU vs. UTSL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WTIU drawdown since its inception was -75.73%, roughly equal to the maximum UTSL drawdown of -79.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTIU and UTSL.

Drawdown Indicators

	WTIU	UTSL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.73%	-79.55%	+3.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-39.11%	-28.45%	-10.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-75.73%	-46.22%	-29.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-68.01%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-34.72%	-24.40%	-10.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.19%	-33.24%	-5.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.74%	13.24%	+2.50%

Volatility

WTIU vs. UTSL - Volatility Comparison

MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETN (WTIU) has a higher volatility of 27.04% compared to Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) at 16.49%. This indicates that WTIU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UTSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WTIU	UTSL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	27.04%	16.49%	+10.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	54.87%	35.50%	+19.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	67.49%	43.39%	+24.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	70.62%	52.02%	+18.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	70.62%	59.29%	+11.33%

WTIU vs. UTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison

WTIU has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than UTSL's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

WTIU vs. UTSL - Dividend Comparison

WTIU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while UTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WTIU and UTSL in my portfolio?

WTIU and UTSL have a correlation of 0.02, 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 UTSL?

WTIU has higher volatility (27.04%) compared to UTSL (16.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WTIU dropped -75.73% vs UTSL's -79.55%.

Which ETF is better, WTIU or UTSL?

On 3-year performance, UTSL leads with 21.28% vs 4.54% for WTIU. On fees, WTIU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, UTSL has been the lower-risk option at 16.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WTIU or UTSL?

Over the 3-year period, UTSL has performed better with a 21.28% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WTIU or UTSL?

WTIU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for UTSL.

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

UTSL has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 0.00% for WTIU.

What is the main difference between WTIU and UTSL?

WTIU tracks Solactive MicroSectors Energy Index - Benchmark TR Gross (--300%), while UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: REX and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for WTIU and 0.99% for UTSL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WTIU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 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.