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SSO vs SOXL: Leveraging the Market or Leveraging Momentum
Yahoo Finance· 2025-12-31 14:48
Core Insights - The article compares two leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs): ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares (SOXL), highlighting their different exposure levels and risk profiles [4][5]. Fund Characteristics - SSO provides 2x daily leveraged exposure to the S&P 500, with a diversified sector allocation: technology at 31%, cash and others at 30%, and financial services at 9% [1]. - SOXL offers 3x daily exposure to the NYSE Semiconductor Index, focusing entirely on technology with 44 holdings, including major positions in Advanced Micro Devices, Broadcom, and Nvidia [2]. Cost and Yield - The expense ratios of both funds are nearly identical, with SOXL charging only 0.01 percentage points more than SSO. However, SSO has a notably higher yield, making it more attractive for investors seeking income alongside leverage [3]. Risk and Volatility - SOXL carries significantly higher risk and volatility compared to SSO, which is designed for short-term trading. The daily leverage reset can lead to returns diverging from the index over longer periods [5][6]. - SSO's broad market exposure mitigates the impact of individual shocks, while SOXL's concentrated exposure to the semiconductor sector amplifies both gains and losses, making timing crucial for investors [7][8]. Investment Strategy - The choice between SSO and SOXL hinges on whether investors prefer to leverage market direction (SSO) or to intensify exposure to a specific, volatile sector (SOXL) [8].