YSPY vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

YSPY (GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds. YSPY is actively managed, while SPXL is passively managed. Over the past year, YSPY returned 18.66% vs 57.34% for SPXL. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. YSPY charges 1.07%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

YSPY vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF (YSPY) 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, YSPY achieves a 2.50% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 17.05% return.

YSPY

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -2.38%
• YTD: 2.50%
• 6M: -0.06%
• 1Y: 18.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: -5.66%
• YTD: 17.05%
• 6M: 12.58%
• 1Y: 57.34%
• 3Y*: 46.32%
• 5Y*: 20.43%
• 10Y*: 30.25%

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

YSPY vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
YSPY GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF	2.50%	8.36%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	17.05%	29.79%

Correlation

The correlation between YSPY and SPXL is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2025	0.86

The correlation between YSPY and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

YSPY vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

YSPY

YSPY Risk / Return Rank: 30
YSPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
YSPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
YSPY Omega Ratio Rank: 36
YSPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
YSPY Martin Ratio Rank: 34

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 48
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

YSPY vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF (YSPY) 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.

	YSPY	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	1.55	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.28	2.03	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.27	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	2.15	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.68	8.73	-4.04

YSPY vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YSPY Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is lower than the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YSPY 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

YSPY vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YSPY drawdown since its inception was -18.74%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YSPY and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	YSPY	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.74%	-76.86%	+58.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.60%	-26.77%	+12.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-48.95%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-63.80%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-76.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.30%	-10.56%	+7.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.90%	-16.09%	+11.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.99%	6.59%	-2.60%

Volatility

YSPY vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF (YSPY) is 3.12%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 14.59%. This indicates that YSPY 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

	YSPY	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	14.59%	-11.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.86%	29.42%	-15.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.23%	37.29%	-18.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.97%	50.53%	-29.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	53.46%	-32.49%

YSPY vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

YSPY has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

YSPY vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

YSPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 56.52%, more than SPXL's 0.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.56%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%
YSPY GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF	56.52%	45.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YSPY and SPXL in my portfolio?

YSPY and SPXL have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YSPY or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (14.59%) compared to YSPY (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YSPY dropped -18.74% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which ETF is better, YSPY or SPXL?

On 1-year performance, SPXL leads with 57.34% vs 18.66% for YSPY. On fees, SPXL is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, YSPY has been the lower-risk option at 3.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YSPY or SPXL?

Over the 1-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 57.34% return vs 18.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YSPY or SPXL?

SPXL is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 1.07% for YSPY.

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

YSPY has the higher dividend yield at 56.52%, compared with 0.56% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between YSPY and SPXL?

They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 1.07% for YSPY and 0.84% for SPXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.98), 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.