SPXL vs VTI
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SPXL or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SPXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.3%.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.87% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $7.4B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 1,030 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +30.47%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +39.94%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +52.99%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.66%Best | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 45.9% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $25,575Best | $17,616 |
| Top 10 Weight | 48.3% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 5, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 5, 2008 to Oct 14, 2026 (17.9 years).
SPXL vs VTI 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SPXL vs VTI Performance
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, SPXL is up 30.47% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, SPXL compounded at +52.99% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +20.66% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, SPXL has the edge at +28.45% annualized vs +12.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 45.9% compared with 15.3% for VTI. 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 -76.9% for SPXL and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPXL charges 0.87% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $87 vs $3 annually, a gap of $84 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPXL currently yields 0.52% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
71.8% of SPXL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 87.4% of VTI's money is in holdings SPXL also owns.
Most of VTI is already inside SPXL. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
500 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in SPXL and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 1,030 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 661 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SPXL (10.5% of the fund), and 6 for SPXL that do not appear in VTI (25.4%).
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 VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 5.70% | 6.88% | 1.18% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.45% | 6.30% | 0.85% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.19% | 5.11% | 0.92% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.77% | 3.41% | 0.64% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc Cap Stk Cl A | 2.28% | 2.70% | 0.42% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.82% | 2.38% | 0.56% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc Class C | 1.82% | 2.12% | 0.30% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.63% | 1.70% | 0.07% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.16% | 1.46% | 0.30% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 1.13% | 1.40% | 0.27% |
87.4% of VTI 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 VTI?
SPXL has an expense ratio of 0.87% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPXL or VTI?
Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% vs +16.63% for VTI, so SPXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), SPXL annualized +28.45% vs +12.77% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPXL or VTI?
SPXL has been the more volatile fund at 45.9% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SPXL -76.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SPXL and VTI?
SPXL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SPXL and VTI?
87.4% of VTI's money is in holdings SPXL also owns. 87.4% of VTI's is in holdings SPXL also owns. They hold 500 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in SPXL and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPXL or VTI?
SPXL yields 0.52% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SPXL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SPXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.