UTSL vs VTI
Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UTSL or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | UTSL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.97% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $48M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.97% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 40 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -19.42% | +11.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | -13.22% | +15.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.56% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.18% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 47.8% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,139 | $17,249Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 3, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 3, 2017 to Sep 16, 2026 (9.4 years).
UTSL 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 covers the 9.4 years both funds cover.
UTSL vs VTI Performance
Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X ETF (UTSL) 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 UTSL returned -13.22% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, UTSL is down 19.42% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, UTSL compounded at +14.56% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.18% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.47% annualized vs +4.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UTSL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 47.8% compared with 16.3% 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 -79.5% for UTSL 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 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UTSL charges 0.97% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $97 vs $3 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UTSL currently yields 1.97% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.9% of VTI's money is in holdings UTSL also owns.
Stated as a floor: for UTSL, our book for it covers 81.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and UTSL share little of their money.
31 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in UTSL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 40 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UTSL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 8.71% | 0.25% | 8.46% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 5.00% | 0.15% | 4.85% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 4.73% | 0.14% | 4.59% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 4.52% | 0.12% | 4.40% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 3.37% | 0.10% | 3.27% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 2.94% | 0.08% | 2.86% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 2.78% | 0.08% | 2.70% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 2.47% | 0.07% | 2.40% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 2.39% | 0.07% | 2.32% |
| EXCExelon | 2.26% | 0.07% | 2.19% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UTSL and VTI 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, UTSL or VTI?
UTSL has an expense ratio of 0.97% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UTSL or VTI?
Over the past year UTSL returned -13.22% vs +15.41% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), UTSL annualized +4.30% vs +13.47% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UTSL or VTI?
UTSL has been the more volatile fund at 47.8% annualized versus 16.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UTSL -79.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both UTSL and VTI?
UTSL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, 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 UTSL and VTI?
At least 1.9% of VTI's money is in holdings UTSL also owns. Our book for UTSL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in UTSL and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, UTSL or VTI?
UTSL yields 1.97% while VTI yields 1.03%, so UTSL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UTSL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.