XTAP vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XTAP (Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds. XTAP is actively managed, while SPXL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XTAP returned 10.65%/yr vs 20.70%/yr for SPXL. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XTAP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

XTAP vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF (XTAP) 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, XTAP achieves a 10.29% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 17.21% return.

XTAP

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: -0.17%
• YTD: 10.29%
• 6M: 10.43%
• 1Y: 19.37%
• 3Y*: 17.09%
• 5Y*: 10.65%
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: -4.48%
• 1M: -5.53%
• YTD: 17.21%
• 6M: 13.86%
• 1Y: 62.56%
• 3Y*: 46.39%
• 5Y*: 20.70%
• 10Y*: 30.27%

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

XTAP vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XTAP Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF	10.29%	17.58%	14.26%	23.46%	-14.68%	12.26%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	17.21%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	69.04%

Correlation

The correlation between XTAP and SPXL is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2021	0.93

The correlation between XTAP and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

XTAP vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XTAP	SPXL
Technology	35.7%	39.0%
Financial Services	11.6%	11.1%
Communication Services	11.3%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	9.9%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.3%
Industrials	8.3%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.5%
Energy	3.5%	3.1%
Utilities	2.4%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.7%

Return for Risk

XTAP vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

XTAP

XTAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
XTAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
XTAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XTAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XTAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
XTAP Martin Ratio Rank: 98

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 49
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

XTAP vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF (XTAP) 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.

	XTAP	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.06	1.69	+2.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.76	2.15	+4.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.05	1.28	+0.76
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.34	2.35	+8.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	62.48	9.57	+52.90

XTAP vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTAP Sharpe Ratio is 4.06, which is higher than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTAP 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

XTAP vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTAP drawdown since its inception was -22.13%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTAP and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTAP	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.13%	-76.86%	+54.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.72%	-26.77%	+25.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.83%	-48.95%	+37.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.13%	-63.80%	+41.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-76.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.91%	-10.44%	+9.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.42%	-16.09%	+12.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.31%	6.56%	-6.25%

Volatility

XTAP vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF (XTAP) is 2.05%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 14.70%. This indicates that XTAP 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

	XTAP	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.05%	14.70%	-12.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.72%	29.55%	-25.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.83%	37.43%	-32.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.55%	50.54%	-35.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.36%	53.47%	-39.11%

XTAP vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

XTAP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

XTAP vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

XTAP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.57%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%
XTAP Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF	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 XTAP and SPXL in my portfolio?

XTAP and SPXL have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XTAP or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (14.70%) compared to XTAP (2.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTAP dropped -22.13% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, XTAP or SPXL?

On 5-year performance, SPXL leads with 20.70% vs 10.65% for XTAP. On fees, XTAP is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, XTAP has been the lower-risk option at 2.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XTAP or SPXL?

Over the 5-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 20.70% return vs 10.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTAP or SPXL?

XTAP is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for SPXL.

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

SPXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.57%, compared with 0.00% for XTAP.

What is the main difference between XTAP and SPXL?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for XTAP and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.06 vs 1.69), 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.