SPXL vs VXUS
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SPXL or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SPXL 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 | SPXL | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.87% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $7.4B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 1,030 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +30.47%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +39.94%Best | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +52.99%Best | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.66%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 43.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $25,575Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 5, 2008 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.7 years).
SPXL vs VXUS 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 VXUS Performance
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, SPXL is up 30.47% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, SPXL compounded at +52.99% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +20.66% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SPXL has the edge at +28.43% annualized vs +4.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 43.8% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPXL charges 0.87% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $87 vs $5 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPXL currently yields 0.52% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.0% of SPXL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SPXL and VXUS share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in SPXL and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 1,030 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPXL and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPXL or VXUS?
SPXL has an expense ratio of 0.87% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPXL or VXUS?
Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so SPXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SPXL annualized +28.43% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPXL or VXUS?
SPXL has been the more volatile fund at 43.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SPXL -76.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SPXL and VXUS?
SPXL and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 VXUS?
At least 2.0% of SPXL's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in SPXL and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPXL or VXUS?
SPXL yields 0.52% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SPXL?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SPXL 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.