3x leveraged ETFs are designed to provide a three times magnified return on investment compared to the underlying index or asset. This means that if the underlying asset increases by 1%, the ETF will increase by 3%.
The key to understanding 3x leveraged ETFs is to know that they use a technique called compounding to achieve their magnified returns. This involves rebalancing the portfolio daily to ensure the desired leverage is maintained.
The benefits of 3x leveraged ETFs include the potential for higher returns in a rising market, but also come with the risk of significant losses in a falling market.
What Are 3x Leveraged ETFs?
A 3x leveraged ETF is designed to provide a return that's three times the daily return of its underlying index or asset. This means if the underlying index returns 15%, the 3x leveraged ETF aims to provide returns of 45%.
The goal of a 3x leveraged ETF is to amplify the returns of its underlying index or asset, but it doesn't guarantee a higher return. In fact, if the underlying index returns 15% in a day, the ETF aims to provide returns of 45%, and vice versa.
To achieve this, 3x leveraged ETFs use derivatives like swaps and futures, which add risk and leverage compared to holding common shares of the stock. These financial products allow the ETF to amplify volatility, but they're riskier bets than simply holding the stocks outright.
Some popular 3x leveraged ETFs include CURE, Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3X Shares ETF, and TQQQ, ProShares UltraPro QQQ ETF. There are many more, and investors should research and understand the specific investment objectives and risks of each ETF before investing.
Keep in mind that 3x leveraged ETFs can change their investment objective, such as dropping to a 2x leveraged ETF from a 3x leveraged ETF. They may also close and liquidate when there is an inability to attract enough investment assets.
Here are some examples of 3x leveraged ETFs, grouped by category:
- Bull 3x ETFs
- CURE: Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3X Shares ETF
- DFEN: Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares ETF
- DPST: Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares ETF
- DRN: Direxion Daily Real Estate Bull 3X Shares ETF
- DUSL: Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares ETF
- DZK: Direxion Daily Developed Markets Bull 3X Shares ETF
- EDC: Direxion Daily Emerging Markets Bull 3X Shares ETF
- EURL: Direxion Daily FTSE Europe Bull 3x Shares ETF
- FAS: Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares ETF
- INDL: Direxion Daily MSCI India Bull 3X Shares ETF
- JPNL: Direxion Daily MSCI Japan Bull 3X Shares ETF
- KORU: Direxion Daily MSCI South Korea Bull 3X Shares ETF
- LBJ: Direxion Daily Latin America Bull 3X Shares ETF
- MEXX: Direxion Daily MSCI Mexico Bull 3X Shares ETF
- MIDU: Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares ETF
- NAIL: Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares ETF
- PILL: Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares ETF
- RETL: Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares ETF
- SOXL: Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull and Bear 3X Shares ETF
- SPXL: Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull and Bear 3X Shares ETF
- TECL: Direxion Daily Technology Bull and Bear 3X Shares ETF
- TMF: Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull and Bear 3X Shares ETF
- TNA: Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull and Bear 3X Shares ETF
- TPOR: Direxion Daily Transportation Bull 3X Shares ETF
- TYD: Direxion Daily 7-10 Year Treasury Bull and Bear 3X Shares ETF
- UBOT: Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares ETF
- UTSL: Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares ETF
- YINN: Direxion Daily FTSE China 3X Bull and Bear 3X Shares ETF
Bear 3x ETFs:
- Sometimes bear 3x ETFs are mentioned in the same list as bull 3x ETFs, but that's a topi
Trading and Risks
Trading 3x leveraged ETFs comes with significant risks, as they aim to provide returns that are three times the daily performance of the underlying index or asset. This can result in substantial losses if the underlying index has a bad day.
A 15% loss in a day for the underlying index can translate into a 45% loss for the 3x leveraged ETF, making it essential to carefully consider your investment strategy.
Trading Basics
To trade 3x leveraged ETFs, you simply need to search your brokerage for the ETF you want and place a trade order for that ticker symbol.
Accessing leveraged ETFs is just like accessing any other ETF, making it easy to get started.
They typically lack the volume and liquidity of the index they track, which can make trading them more challenging.
It's essential to remember that leveraged ETFs aren't designed for long-term holding.
You should think of the return on 3x leveraged ETFs as the daily return, not the annual return.
The daily return is what matters when it comes to these types of investments.
What Is Decay?
Decay is a common issue with leveraged ETFs, and it's essential to understand what it means. Leveraged ETFs experience decay because they need to rebalance their holdings daily to maintain the proper levels of leverage.
This rebalancing process adds trading and management fees, which can significantly change the price action. The more leveraged the ETF, the more pronounced the decay effect.
Leveraged ETFs are designed to track the performance of a specific index, but they often deviate from the standard ETF due to decay. This can make it challenging for investors to achieve their desired returns.
According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the distribution of leveraged ETF returns can be unpredictable due to decay. This is because the rebalancing process can introduce significant trading costs and fees.
Leveraged ETFs are not for the faint of heart, and decay is just one of the many risks involved.
Pricing & Performance
Pricing & Performance is a crucial aspect of trading, and it's essential to understand the metrics used to measure a fund's performance.
The article provides NAV and Market Price information as of 01/13/2025, which gives us a snapshot of the fund's performance over different time periods.
Here are some key metrics:
The expense ratio, which includes management fees and other operating expenses, is 1.04% for both TMF and TMV. This means that for every $100 invested, $1.04 goes towards expenses.
Other
Other factors to consider when trading include market volatility, which can lead to significant losses if not managed properly.
Market volatility can be caused by various factors such as economic changes, global events, and shifts in investor sentiment.
It's essential to have a solid risk management strategy in place to mitigate potential losses.
For example, diversification can help spread risk across different asset classes and reduce exposure to any one particular market.
This can be achieved by allocating a portion of your portfolio to low-risk investments, such as bonds or cash.
However, it's also important to note that diversification can't completely eliminate risk, but it can help reduce it.
Investors should also be aware of their own emotional biases and try to make rational decisions based on market data and analysis.
This can be challenging, especially during times of high market stress or uncertainty.
Investors should also consider the impact of leverage on their trades, as it can amplify both gains and losses.
The use of leverage can be particularly risky if not managed properly, as it can lead to significant losses if the market moves against you.
Investment Strategies
You can magnify your short-term perspective with daily 3X leverage, giving you a powerful tool to take advantage of short-term trends.
Direxion's leveraged ETFs are designed to help you go where there's opportunity, with bull and bear funds for both sides of the trade.
To stay agile, you'll need liquidity to trade through rapidly changing markets.
Here are some key benefits of using leveraged ETFs:
- Magnify your short-term perspective with daily 3X leverage
- Go where there’s opportunity, with bull and bear funds for both sides of the trade
- Stay agile – with liquidity to trade through rapidly changing markets
Strategy and Benefits
Investment Strategies often involve trading, which is different from investing. Trading allows you to take advantage of short-term trends.
To get the direction right, you need to choose the right strategy. Direxion offers leveraged ETFs that can help you magnify your short-term perspective with daily 3X leverage.
These ETFs are powerful tools that can help you go where there's opportunity, with bull and bear funds for both sides of the trade. Bull and bear funds can be used to take advantage of market trends, whether you're expecting the market to go up or down.
Leveraged ETFs pursue daily leveraged investment objectives, which means they are riskier than alternatives that don't use leverage. They are not suitable for all investors and should be utilized only by investors who understand leverage risk and who actively manage their investments.
To stay agile in rapidly changing markets, you need liquidity to trade through these changes. Leveraged ETFs offer this liquidity, making it easier to adapt to changing market conditions.
Here are some key benefits of using leveraged ETFs:
- Magnify your short-term perspective with daily 3X leverage
- Go where there's opportunity, with bull and bear funds for both sides of the trade
- Stay agile – with liquidity to trade through rapidly changing markets
Key Takeaways
3x leveraged ETFs are designed to generate three times the returns of the underlying index, but this also means they'll lose three times as much if the market goes down.
It's essential to understand that the return is expected on the daily return, not the annual return, which can be misleading for investors.
To put it simply, 3x leveraged ETFs are not suitable for long-term investments, as their value can fluctuate rapidly.
Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- 3x leveraged ETFs generate returns three times that of the underlying index.
- They also lose three times as much if the market declines.
- The return is expected on the daily return, not the annual return.
- They're often not considered wise long-term investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is qqq triple leveraged?
No, TQQQ is triple leveraged on a daily basis, not on a total return basis. It aims to deliver triple the daily returns of the Nasdaq-100 index.
Are there 5x leveraged ETFs?
Yes, there are 5x leveraged ETFs available, such as the 5QQQ ETP, which provides 5 times the daily performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index. These products can amplify market movements, but come with higher risks and fees.
Is SPXl 2x or 3x?
The Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) is a 3x leveraged ETF, meaning it aims to return three times the daily performance of the S&P 500 index. This is in contrast to a 2x leveraged ETF, which would aim to return twice the daily performance.
Sources
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/a-list-of-3x-leveraged-etfs-1214924
- https://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/etf/snapshot/snapshot.aspx
- https://www.direxion.com/product/daily-20-year-treasury-bull-bear-3x-etfs
- https://tickeron.com/trading-investing-101/what-are-3x-etfs-and-how-do-they-work/
- https://www.mutualfunds.com/equity-categories/3x-leveraged-equity-funds-and-etfs/
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