The world of 3x leveraged ETFs can be overwhelming, especially with the numerous options available. There are over 200 3x leveraged ETFs listed in the US market alone.
These funds aim to provide a tripled return on investment, but it's essential to understand their unique characteristics and risks. Leveraged ETFs use derivatives to amplify returns, but this also amplifies losses.
Some 3x leveraged ETFs track specific sectors, such as technology or healthcare, while others focus on broader market indexes. The choice of ETF depends on individual investment goals and risk tolerance.
Investors should carefully review the holdings and performance of 3x leveraged ETFs before making a decision.
When to Use 3x Leveraged ETFs
You can use 3x Leveraged ETFs during a bull run when the market is moving in a favorable direction, as they can potentially outperform the market. This is because they can achieve higher returns from leverage.
A bull run is a period of sustained market growth, and if you're invested in a long 3x ETF, you could see significant gains. Just be aware that even in a bull run, the market can be volatile, and there's no guarantee of returns.
If you're looking to hedge your bets or short the market, a 3x short leveraged ETF can be a good option during a bear market. These funds can thrive in a declining market, allowing you to potentially profit from the downturn.
It's also worth noting that with a 3x leveraged ETF, you can only lose the amount of money you put into the ETF, which is a significant advantage over traditional investing. If you were to try to achieve the same leverage with your own portfolio, you could end up with a negative balance.
Lowest Fees and Best Investments
If you're looking for a 3x leveraged ETF with the lowest fees, Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2× Shares (SPUU) has an expense ratio of 0.63%.
SPUU holds shares of the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) to track the S&P 500 and uses various swaps to obtain leveraged exposure to the index. This fund seeks daily investment returns, before fees and expenses, of 200% of the performance of the S&P 500 Index.
On the other hand, ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) has an expense ratio of 0.91%. However, it's essential to note that UPRO has a much larger asset under management, with over $2.3 billion invested.
ETFs with very low assets under management, less than $50 million, usually have lower liquidity than larger ETFs. This can result in higher trading costs which can negate some of your investment gains or increase your losses.
Here's a comparison of the two funds:
It's worth noting that investors shouldn't expect this fund to provide two times the cumulative return of the S&P 500 for periods greater than a single day. Investors with a low tolerance for risk may want to consider other investments.
ProShares ETFs
ProShares ETFs have been a popular choice among investors looking for leveraged exposure to the market. The ProShares TQQQ UltraPro ETF, for instance, offers 3x leverage in the popular QQQ ETF.
The QQQ ETF mirrors the Nasdaq 100, giving investors exposure to many tech and growth stocks. This fund has generated an annualized return of 40.59% over the past 10 years.
The ProShares TQQQ UltraPro ETF has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is relatively low compared to other leveraged ETFs. Its top three holdings are Microsoft, Apple, and NVIDIA, which account for a significant portion of the fund's assets.
Investors should be aware that the fund's performance is heavily reliant on the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, including Microsoft, Apple, and NVIDIA. This means that if these stocks underperform, the fund's returns may suffer as a result.
Specific ETFs and Shares
Here's a short section on specific 3x leveraged ETFs:
The Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3x Shares (SPXL) has a 0.97% expense ratio and targets daily investment returns of 300% of those of the S&P 500 Index. It holds shares of companies in the S&P 500 Index and uses swaps to provide leveraged exposure.
The ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 ETF (UPRO) gives investors 3x the daily performance of the S&P 500 and has returned 45.40% year-to-date. It has a 0.91% expense ratio and primarily invests in information technology (28.26%), healthcare (13.42%), and financials (12.42%).
Here are some specific 3x leveraged ETFs to consider:
These ETFs offer 3x leveraged exposure to various indices, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100.
S&P 500 Shares (SPXL)
The Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3x Shares (SPXL) is an ETF that targets daily investment returns of 300% of those of the S&P 500 Index.
This ETF uses swaps to provide leveraged exposure to the S&P 500 Index and holds shares of companies in the index. It is designed for sophisticated investors with a high risk tolerance.
The performance of SPXL over the past year has been -49.9%. Its expense ratio is 0.97%, and it offers an annual dividend yield of 0.12%.
SPXL has a large asset base, with $2.7 billion in assets under management. It was launched on November 5, 2008, and is issued by Rafferty Asset Management.
Here are some key statistics about SPXL:
- Performance Over One-Year: -49.9%
- Expense Ratio: 0.97%
- Annual Dividend Yield: 0.12%
- Three-Month Average Daily Volume: 14,277,112
- Assets Under Management: $2.7 billion
- Inception Date: Nov. 5, 2008
ProShares UltraPro S&P 500
The ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 ETF gives investors 3x the daily performance of the S&P 500. This fund has returned 45.40% year-to-date and has an annualized return of 25.11% over the past 10 years.
It has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is relatively low compared to other leveraged ETFs. The fund primarily invests in information technology (28.26%), healthcare (13.42%), and financials (12.42%).
The top three holdings are Apple (7.72%), Microsoft (6.81%), and Amazon (3.13%). The S&P 500's performance gets swayed by the Magnificent Seven, but not as much as the Nasdaq 100.
Here are some key statistics about the ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 ETF:
This fund is a good option for investors who want to gain exposure to the S&P 500 with a 3x leverage. However, it's essential to keep in mind that leveraged ETFs can be volatile and may not perform as expected over the long term.
Semiconductor Shares
The Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares ETF (SOXL) has increased by over 150% year-to-date, making it an attractive option for investors looking to capitalize on the semiconductor industry's growth.
The top three holdings in SOXL are NVIDIA (8.40%), Broadcom (8.06%), and Advanced Micro Devices (7.23%), giving investors a concentrated exposure to the industry's leading players.
Investors can buy shares of SOXL for $29.82, with a 0.94% expense ratio and a 7.77% year-over-year return.
Here's a breakdown of SOXL's top holdings:
The Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares ETF (TECL) also has a significant allocation to semiconductors, with 25.12% of its portfolio invested in the sector, behind software (38.55%) and technology hardware (24.56%).
Small Cap TNA
The Direxion Small Cap Bull 3X ETF, ticker TNA, primarily invests in small-cap companies with high risk but incredible upside potential.
This fund has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is a relatively high cost to consider when investing.
The fund's top three holdings are Super Micro Computer, SPS Commerce, and Rambus, making up 1.16% of the total portfolio.
The fund's performance over the past three years has been decent, with an annualized return of 9.17%.
Here are the fund's top sectors, which are industrials, healthcare, and financials, making up 48.19% of the total portfolio.
The fund's price as of the latest data is $43.99, and you can invest in it by buying stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there 5x leveraged ETFs?
Yes, there are 5x leveraged ETFs available, such as the 5QQQ ETP from Leverage Shares PLC, which provides 5 times the daily performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index.
What is the Dow Bear 3x ETF?
The Dow Bear 3x ETF is an exchange-traded fund that inversely tracks the Dow Jones Internet Composite Index, aiming to deliver 300% of the daily opposite performance. It's designed for investors seeking to profit from a decline in the tech sector.
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.
What is the oldest 3X leveraged ETF?
The oldest 3X leveraged ETF was launched by Direxion in November 2008. This pioneering product paved the way for the development of leveraged ETFs in the market.
Sources
- https://www.direxion.com/leveraged-and-inverse-etfs
- https://theinvestquest.com/ultimate-list-of-leveraged-stock-etfs/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/etfs/top-leveraged-sp-500-etfs/
- https://www.mutualfunds.com/equity-categories/3x-leveraged-equity-funds-and-etfs/
- https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-3x-leveraged-etf
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