SPXL vs TUG
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF vs STF Tactical Growth ETF
Which is better, SPXL or TUG?
SPXL has been ahead.
TUG has a lower expense ratio. SPXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SPXL is less concentrated, with 48.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.9%.
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 | SPXL | TUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.87% | 0.65%Best |
| AUM | $7.4B | $35M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 1.88% |
| Holdings | 1,030 | 204 |
| YTD Return | +30.47%Best | +19.37% |
| 1Y Return | +39.94%Best | +22.88% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +52.99%Best | +22.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.66% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 46.2% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -49.0% | -22.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.4 years | $40,354Best | $20,638 |
| Top 10 Weight | 48.3%Best | 49.9% |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Shelton Capital Management |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Nov 5, 2008 | May 18, 2022 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 20, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.4 years).
SPXL vs TUG 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 4.4 years both funds cover.
SPXL vs TUG Performance
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and STF Tactical Growth ETF (TUG) is an ETF from Shelton Capital Management. Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% while TUG returned +22.88%. Year to date, SPXL is up 30.47% versus a gain of 19.37% for TUG.
Over three years, SPXL compounded at +52.99% per year against +22.50% for TUG. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPXL has the edge at +37.31% annualized vs +17.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 46.2% compared with 16.3% for TUG. 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 -49.0% for SPXL and -22.3% for TUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPXL charges 0.87% per year while TUG charges 0.65%. On a $10,000 position that is $87 vs $65 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPXL currently yields 0.52% against 1.88% for TUG.
Holdings Overlap
39.3% of SPXL's money is in holdings TUG also owns. 95.3% of TUG's money is in holdings SPXL also owns.
Most of TUG is already inside SPXL. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
88 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in SPXL and 101 in TUG, against full books of 1,030 and 204.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 8 positions for TUG that do not appear in our book for SPXL (1.5% of the fund), and 411 for SPXL that do not appear in TUG (57.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPXL | Weight in TUG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.70% | 9.04% | 3.34% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.45% | 8.16% | 2.71% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.19% | 6.35% | 2.16% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.77% | 4.33% | 1.56% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.16% | 5.90% | 4.74% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.28% | 3.26% | 0.98% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.90% | 4.56% | 3.66% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.82% | 2.99% | 1.17% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.82% | 2.69% | 0.87% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.63% | 2.66% | 1.03% |
95.3% of TUG is already inside SPXL.
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, SPXL or TUG?
SPXL has an expense ratio of 0.87% while TUG charges 0.65%. TUG is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPXL or TUG?
Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% vs +22.88% for TUG, so SPXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SPXL annualized +37.31% vs +17.90% for TUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPXL or TUG?
SPXL has been the more volatile fund at 46.2% annualized versus 16.3% for TUG. Worst drawdown: SPXL -49.0% vs TUG -22.3%.
Should I hold both SPXL and TUG?
SPXL and TUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 SPXL and TUG?
95.3% of TUG's money is in holdings SPXL also owns. 95.3% of TUG's is in holdings SPXL also owns. They hold 88 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in SPXL and 101 in TUG.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPXL or TUG?
SPXL yields 0.52% while TUG yields 1.88%, so TUG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TUG better than SPXL?
TUG has a lower expense ratio. SPXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SPXL is less concentrated, with 48.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.