XLV vs. CURE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) and CURE (Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - XLV is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Health Care Select Sector Index, while CURE is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Health Care Select Sector Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLV returned 9.48%/yr vs 12.46%/yr for CURE. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. XLV charges 0.08%/yr vs 1.08%/yr for CURE.

Performance

XLV vs. CURE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) and Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares (CURE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLV achieves a -1.35% return, which is significantly higher than CURE's -10.92% return. Over the past 10 years, XLV has underperformed CURE with an annualized return of 9.48%, while CURE has yielded a comparatively higher 12.46% annualized return.

XLV

• 1D: 3.07%
• 1M: 4.67%
• YTD: -1.35%
• 6M: -0.35%
• 1Y: 16.13%
• 3Y*: 6.92%
• 5Y*: 6.19%
• 10Y*: 9.48%

CURE

• 1D: 9.14%
• 1M: 12.73%
• YTD: -10.92%
• 6M: -9.12%
• 1Y: 31.64%
• 3Y*: 2.38%
• 5Y*: 1.98%
• 10Y*: 12.46%

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

XLV vs. CURE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	-1.35%	14.50%	2.47%	2.07%	-2.08%	26.04%	13.30%	20.45%	6.28%	21.77%
CURE Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares	-10.92%	22.55%	-8.47%	-9.40%	-20.51%	88.30%	5.02%	55.66%	2.82%	69.32%

Correlation

The correlation between XLV and CURE is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2011	0.98

The correlation between XLV and CURE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLV vs. CURE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

XLV vs. CURE — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 31
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 29
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 27

CURE

CURE Risk / Return Rank: 23
CURE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
CURE Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
CURE Omega Ratio Rank: 23
CURE Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
CURE Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

XLV vs. CURE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) and Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares (CURE). 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.

	XLV	CURE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	0.72	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	1.33	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.15	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.55	1.02	+0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.73	2.35	+1.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLV vs. CURE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is higher than the CURE Sharpe Ratio of 0.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLV and CURE, 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

	XLV	CURE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.08	0.72	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.05	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.25	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.47	-0.01

Drawdowns

XLV vs. CURE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLV drawdown since its inception was -39.17%, smaller than the maximum CURE drawdown of -69.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLV and CURE.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLV	CURE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.17%	-69.19%	+30.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.47%	-31.10%	+20.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.11%	-51.93%	+34.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.11%	-52.23%	+35.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.40%	-69.19%	+40.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.68%	-29.29%	+24.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-18.15%	+11.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.33%	13.48%	-9.15%

Volatility

XLV vs. CURE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is 5.04%, while Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares (CURE) has a volatility of 14.72%. This indicates that XLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CURE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLV	CURE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	14.72%	-9.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.67%	31.07%	-20.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.97%	44.12%	-29.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.76%	43.88%	-29.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.57%	49.58%	-33.01%

XLV vs. CURE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLV has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than CURE's 1.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLV vs. CURE - Dividend Comparison

XLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.65%, more than CURE's 1.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CURE Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares	1.20%	1.12%	1.17%	2.02%	0.38%	0.02%	0.17%	0.40%	0.70%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.65%	1.60%	1.67%	1.59%	1.47%	1.33%	1.49%	2.17%	1.57%	1.47%	1.60%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLV and CURE in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, XLV and CURE 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, XLV or CURE?

CURE has higher volatility (14.72%) compared to XLV (5.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLV dropped -39.17% vs CURE's -69.19%.

Which ETF is better, XLV or CURE?

On 10-year performance, CURE leads with 12.46% vs 9.48% for XLV. On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLV has been the lower-risk option at 5.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLV or CURE?

Over the 10-year period, CURE has performed better with a 12.46% return vs 9.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLV or CURE?

XLV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 1.08% for CURE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLV or CURE?

XLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.65%, compared with 1.20% for CURE.

What is the main difference between XLV and CURE?

XLV is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while CURE is Leveraged Equities. XLV tracks Health Care Select Sector Index, while CURE tracks Health Care Select Sector Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: State Street and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLV and 1.08% for CURE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.72), 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.