XLG vs. SPXL

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

XLG (Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Top 50 Index, while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLG returned 16.48%/yr vs 28.72%/yr for SPXL. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. XLG charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

XLG vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLG achieves a 4.04% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 24.85% return. Over the past 10 years, XLG has underperformed SPXL with an annualized return of 16.48%, while SPXL has yielded a comparatively higher 28.72% annualized return.

XLG

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: -1.02%
• 6M: 4.65%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 1Y: 17.00%
• 3Y*: 20.89%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 16.48%

SPXL

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -0.19%
• 6M: 19.87%
• YTD: 24.85%
• 1Y: 55.18%
• 3Y*: 44.11%
• 5Y*: 21.24%
• 10Y*: 28.72%

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

XLG vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	4.04%	19.51%	33.49%	38.16%	-24.29%	30.77%	24.15%	32.04%	-3.59%	23.04%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	24.85%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-25.11%	71.03%

Correlation

The correlation between XLG and SPXL is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2008	0.96

The correlation between XLG and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLG vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLG	SPXL
Technology	48.7%	39.0%
Communication Services	13.9%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	9.9%
Financial Services	9.9%	11.1%
Healthcare	6.7%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.5%
Energy	2.2%	3.1%
Industrials	2.1%	7.8%
Utilities	0.8%	2.1%
Basic Materials	0.6%	1.7%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

XLG vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLG

XLG Risk / Return Rank: 37
XLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
XLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
XLG Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
XLG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

XLG vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). 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.

	XLG	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.47	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	1.97	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.26	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	2.07	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.56	8.18	-3.61

XLG vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLG Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is comparable to the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLG and SPXL, 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

XLG vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLG drawdown since its inception was -52.39%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLG and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLG	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.39%	-76.86%	+24.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.41%	-26.77%	+14.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.70%	-48.95%	+28.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.02%	-63.80%	+35.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.46%	-76.86%	+46.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.68%	-4.60%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.63%	-16.06%	+8.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	6.77%	-3.04%

Volatility

XLG vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) is 4.63%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 10.79%. This indicates that XLG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLG	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.63%	10.79%	-6.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.16%	30.09%	-18.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.20%	37.68%	-23.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.83%	50.59%	-31.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.87%	53.38%	-34.51%

XLG vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLG has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLG vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

XLG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, more than SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.52%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%	0.00%	0.00%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	0.65%	0.64%	0.72%	0.97%	1.34%	0.94%	1.25%	1.58%	2.00%	1.85%	2.00%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLG and SPXL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, XLG and SPXL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, XLG or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (10.79%) compared to XLG (4.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLG dropped -52.39% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, XLG or SPXL?

On 10-year performance, SPXL leads with 28.72% vs 16.48% for XLG. On fees, XLG is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, XLG has been the lower-risk option at 4.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLG or SPXL?

Over the 10-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 28.72% return vs 16.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLG or SPXL?

XLG is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for SPXL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLG or SPXL?

XLG has the higher dividend yield at 0.65%, compared with 0.52% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between XLG and SPXL?

XLG is categorized as S&P 500, while SPXL is Leveraged Equities. XLG tracks S&P 500 Top 50 Index, while SPXL tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for XLG and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 1.20), 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.