SPXL vs XOCT
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October
Which is better, SPXL or XOCT?
SPXL has been ahead.
XOCT has a lower expense ratio. SPXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | XOCT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.87% | 0.85%Best |
| AUM | $7.4B | $40M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 1,030 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +30.47%Best | +7.21% |
| 1Y Return | +39.94%Best | +9.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +52.99%Best | +10.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.66% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.6% | 4.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -49.0% | -10.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $40,486Best | $13,397 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Nov 5, 2008 | Oct 20, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 23, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3 years).
SPXL vs XOCT 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 XOCT 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 - October (XOCT) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% while XOCT returned +9.63%. Year to date, SPXL is up 30.47% versus a gain of 7.21% for XOCT.
Over three years, SPXL compounded at +52.99% per year against +10.24% for XOCT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.6% compared with 4.5% for XOCT. 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 -10.0% for XOCT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. 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 XOCT 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 XOCT.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPXL and XOCT 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 XOCT?
SPXL has an expense ratio of 0.87% while XOCT charges 0.85%. XOCT is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPXL or XOCT?
Over the past year SPXL returned +39.94% vs +9.63% for XOCT, 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 XOCT?
SPXL has been the more volatile fund at 38.6% annualized versus 4.5% for XOCT. Worst drawdown: SPXL -49.0% vs XOCT -10.0%.
Should I hold both SPXL and XOCT?
SPXL and XOCT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 XOCT?
SPXL yields 0.52% while XOCT yields 0.00%, so SPXL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XOCT better than SPXL?
XOCT has a lower expense ratio. SPXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.