XPP vs. UTSL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XPP (ProShares Ultra FTSE China 50) and UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds - XPP tracks the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (200%) while UTSL tracks the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XPP returned -19.00%/yr vs 8.52%/yr for UTSL. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XPP charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for UTSL.

Performance

XPP vs. UTSL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra FTSE China 50 (XPP) 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, XPP achieves a -13.50% return, which is significantly lower than UTSL's 2.68% return.

XPP

• 1D: 6.13%
• 1M: -2.95%
• YTD: -13.50%
• 6M: -17.44%
• 1Y: 1.02%
• 3Y*: 9.12%
• 5Y*: -19.00%
• 10Y*: -4.83%

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)

XPP vs. UTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XPP ProShares Ultra FTSE China 50	-13.50%	45.84%	38.18%	-34.77%	-50.06%	-40.45%	7.07%	24.88%	-31.36%	48.69%
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	2.68%	29.03%	54.24%	-35.55%	-14.06%	48.16%	-38.58%	81.07%	-2.27%	11.26%

Correlation

The correlation between XPP and UTSL is 0.09, 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	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2017	0.12

XPP vs. UTSL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPP	UTSL
Financial Services	42.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

XPP vs. UTSL — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPP

XPP Risk / Return Rank: 10
XPP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
XPP Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
XPP Omega Ratio Rank: 10
XPP Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
XPP Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

XPP vs. UTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra FTSE China 50 (XPP) 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.

	XPP	UTSL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.03	0.28	-0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.32	0.66	-0.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.08	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.10	0.46	-0.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.20	0.99	-0.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPP vs. UTSL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPP Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the UTSL Sharpe Ratio of 0.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPP 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

	XPP	UTSL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03	0.28	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.30	0.16	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.09	0.14	-0.23

Drawdowns

XPP vs. UTSL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPP drawdown since its inception was -89.90%, which is greater than UTSL's maximum drawdown of -79.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPP and UTSL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPP	UTSL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.90%	-79.55%	-10.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.60%	-28.45%	-4.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-52.95%	-46.22%	-6.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-85.24%	-68.01%	-17.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-77.11%	-24.40%	-52.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.81%	-33.24%	-14.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.83%	13.24%	+2.59%

Volatility

XPP vs. UTSL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Ultra FTSE China 50 (XPP) is 13.66%, while Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) has a volatility of 16.49%. This indicates that XPP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UTSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPP	UTSL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.66%	16.49%	-2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.40%	35.50%	-7.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.02%	43.39%	-4.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	62.74%	52.02%	+10.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	54.90%	59.29%	-4.39%

XPP vs. UTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XPP vs. UTSL - Dividend Comparison

XPP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.51%, more than UTSL's 1.77% yield.

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%
XPP ProShares Ultra FTSE China 50	2.51%	2.32%	2.96%	2.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.81%	1.47%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPP and UTSL in my portfolio?

XPP and UTSL have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XPP or UTSL?

UTSL has higher volatility (16.49%) compared to XPP (13.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPP dropped -89.90% vs UTSL's -79.55%.

Which ETF is better, XPP or UTSL?

On 5-year performance, UTSL leads with 8.52% vs -19.00% for XPP. On fees, XPP is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, XPP has been the lower-risk option at 13.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPP or UTSL?

Over the 5-year period, UTSL has performed better with a 8.52% return vs -19.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPP or UTSL?

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

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

XPP has the higher dividend yield at 2.51%, compared with 1.77% for UTSL.

What is the main difference between XPP and UTSL?

XPP tracks FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (200%), while UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for XPP and 0.99% for UTSL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UTSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.28 vs 0.03), 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.