SPXL vs XAUG
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August
Which is better, SPXL or XAUG?
SPXL has been ahead.
XAUG has a lower expense ratio. SPXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | XAUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.87% | 0.85%Best |
| AUM | $7.4B | $26M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 1,030 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +30.47%Best | +6.36% |
| 1Y Return | +39.94%Best | +8.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +52.99%Best | +9.93% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.66% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 39.7% | 4.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -49.0% | -8.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $33,749Best | $13,294 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Nov 5, 2008 | Aug 18, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 21, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
SPXL vs XAUG 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 3.1 years both funds cover.
SPXL vs XAUG Performance
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August (XAUG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% while XAUG returned +8.57%. Year to date, SPXL is up 30.47% versus a gain of 6.36% for XAUG.
Over three years, SPXL compounded at +52.99% per year against +9.93% for XAUG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 39.7% compared with 4.3% for XAUG. 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 -8.7% for XAUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. 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 XAUG charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $87 vs $85 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPXL currently yields 0.52% against 0.00% for XAUG.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPXL and XAUG 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 XAUG?
SPXL has an expense ratio of 0.87% while XAUG charges 0.85%. XAUG is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPXL or XAUG?
Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% vs +8.57% for XAUG, so SPXL leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPXL or XAUG?
SPXL has been the more volatile fund at 39.7% annualized versus 4.3% for XAUG. Worst drawdown: SPXL -49.0% vs XAUG -8.7%.
Should I hold both SPXL and XAUG?
SPXL and XAUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPXL or XAUG?
SPXL yields 0.52% while XAUG yields 0.00%, so SPXL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XAUG better than SPXL?
XAUG has a lower expense ratio. SPXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.