FTLS vs SPUU
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF vs Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF
Which is better, FTLS or SPUU?
SPUU has been ahead.
SPUU has a lower expense ratio. SPUU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FTLS | SPUU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.38% | 0.60%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $296M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 1.31% |
| Holdings | 363 | 1,020 |
| YTD Return | +9.83% | +22.36%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.43% | +29.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.42% | +38.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.59% | +18.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.7%Best | 30.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.5%Best | -59.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,542 | $23,376Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Sep 8, 2014 | May 28, 2014 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (12.1 years).
FTLS vs SPUU growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.1 years both funds cover.
FTLS vs SPUU Performance
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year FTLS returned +13.43% while SPUU returned +29.25%. Year to date, FTLS is up 9.83% versus a gain of 22.36% for SPUU.
Over three years, FTLS compounded at +14.42% per year against +38.29% for SPUU; over five years the annualized figures are +10.59% and +18.51% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SPUU has the edge at +18.08% annualized vs +8.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPUU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.5% compared with 8.7% for FTLS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -20.5% for FTLS and -59.4% for SPUU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTLS charges 1.38% per year while SPUU charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $138 vs $60 annually, a gap of $78 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTLS currently yields 0.87% against 1.31% for SPUU.
Holdings Overlap
At least 58.6% of SPUU's money is in holdings FTLS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FTLS, our book for it covers 94.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
206 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in FTLS and 506 in SPUU, against full books of 363 and 1,020.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTLS | Weight in SPUU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 6.67% | 7.12% | 0.45% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.55% | 6.82% | 1.27% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.13% | 5.23% | 1.10% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc Cap Stk Cl A | 4.15% | 2.86% | 1.29% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.60% | 3.46% | 0.86% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.08% | 2.28% | 1.20% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.16% | 2.04% | 0.88% |
| STXSeagate Technology Plc | 2.05% | 0.25% | 1.80% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.79% | 1.45% | 0.66% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 0.67% | 1.41% | 0.74% |
58.6% of SPUU is already inside FTLS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FTLS or SPUU?
FTLS has an expense ratio of 1.38% while SPUU charges 0.60%. SPUU is the cheaper option, by $78 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTLS or SPUU?
Over the past year FTLS returned +13.43% vs +29.25% for SPUU, so SPUU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), FTLS annualized +8.71% vs +18.08% for SPUU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTLS or SPUU?
SPUU has been the more volatile fund at 30.5% annualized versus 8.7% for FTLS. Worst drawdown: FTLS -20.5% vs SPUU -59.4%.
Should I hold both FTLS and SPUU?
FTLS and SPUU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FTLS and SPUU?
At least 58.6% of SPUU's money is in holdings FTLS also owns. Our book for FTLS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 206 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in FTLS and 506 in SPUU.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTLS or SPUU?
FTLS yields 0.87% while SPUU yields 1.31%, so SPUU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPUU better than FTLS?
SPUU has a lower expense ratio. SPUU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.