Core Viewpoint - Leverage is not a shortcut to wealth but a double-edged sword that amplifies both risks and returns, often leading to significant losses in volatile markets [7][8]. Group 1: The Nature of Leverage - Leverage itself does not create value and is not a low-risk, high-return arbitrage tool [8]. - Leveraged ETFs experience "volatility drag," which erodes returns over time, especially in fluctuating markets [9][28]. - The asymmetry of gains and losses is exacerbated by leverage, making it more challenging to recover from losses [12][17]. Group 2: Risks of Leveraged ETFs - A 3x leveraged ETF can theoretically become worthless if the underlying index drops more than 33.33% in a single day [14]. - The concept of "fixed leverage trap" indicates that after a loss, the base for future leverage is reduced, complicating recovery [17]. - High management fees and tracking errors in leveraged ETFs further diminish returns, akin to physical energy losses [21]. Group 3: Historical Performance and Market Conditions - The 3x leveraged semiconductor ETF (SOXL) has shown impressive annualized returns of over 30% in certain periods, outperforming broader indices like NASDAQ and S&P 500 [23][40]. - However, the extreme volatility and significant drawdowns, such as in 2022, highlight the risks associated with leveraged products [26][40]. - The timing of market conditions is crucial for leveraged investments, making long-term holding risky [27][41]. Group 4: Guidelines for Ordinary Investors - Leverage amplifies both risk and reward, making it essential for investors to approach it with caution [47]. - The long-term viability of investments should focus on value creation rather than merely leveraging returns [53]. - Ordinary investors are advised to avoid heavy leverage and to prioritize survival and long-term investment strategies over short-term gains [55].

Group 1 - The article discusses the potential risks and pitfalls of using leveraged ETFs, particularly those that aim to provide three times the daily return of the semiconductor index [1][2][3] - Leveraged ETFs do not create value and are not a low-risk, high-reward arbitrage tool, as they amplify both gains and losses [2][30] - The concept of "volatility drag" is introduced, explaining how daily resetting of positions can lead to significant losses over time, especially in volatile markets [3][6][24] Group 2 - A mathematical example illustrates that a 10% gain followed by a 10% loss results in a net loss for both the underlying asset and the leveraged ETF, highlighting the asymmetrical nature of returns [4][5] - The article emphasizes that leveraged ETFs have a "path dependency," meaning their final returns are highly influenced by the specific daily price movements [7][19] - The extreme risk of leveraged ETFs is underscored by the fact that a single-day drop of over 33.33% in the underlying index could theoretically render the ETF worthless [8][9] Group 3 - Historical performance data shows that while a specific three-times leveraged semiconductor ETF has had impressive annualized returns over various time frames, these returns are not guaranteed to continue [19][20][35] - The article warns that the high volatility and potential for significant drawdowns, as seen in 2022, make these products unsuitable for long-term holding [22][36] - It is suggested that such leveraged products are more appropriate for short-term trading or very small allocations due to their heightened risk compared to broad market indices [25][34] Group 4 - The article draws parallels between physics and finance, stating that relying solely on leverage for excess profits is akin to believing in a perpetual motion machine [13][15] - The high management fees associated with leveraged ETFs, such as a 0.75% fee for SOXL compared to 0.03%-0.2% for regular ETFs, further erode potential returns [17] - Regulatory warnings indicate that leveraged ETFs are not suitable for long-term investment strategies [18][34]