As a levered product, SSO is not a buy-and-hold ETF; it’s a short-term tactical instrument. Like many levered funds, it delivers its 2x exposure only over a one-day holding period. Over longer periods, returns can vary significantly from its headline 2x target returns. The 500 underlying companies are some of the most well-known firms in the world. As a short-term instrument, the total cost of owning SSO is more dependent on liquidity than management costs. Fortunately, the fund is extremely liquid with hefty daily volume and very tight spreads. Ultimately, SSO’s liquidity makes it one of the best ETFs for leveraged exposure to the S&P 500, but knowledge of the benefits, risks and pitfalls of levered products is paramount.