ARMR.AX vs. DFEN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARMR.AX (Betashares Global Defence ETF) and DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - ARMR.AX is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the VettaFi Global Defence Leaders Index, while DFEN is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ARMR.AX returned 6.21% vs 44.72% for DFEN. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARMR.AX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for DFEN.

Performance

ARMR.AX vs. DFEN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Betashares Global Defence ETF (ARMR.AX) and Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

ARMR.AX is traded in AUD, while DFEN is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the DFEN values have been converted to AUD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARMR.AX achieves a -3.08% return, which is significantly higher than DFEN's -4.36% return.

ARMR.AX

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: -3.08%
• 6M: 2.37%
• 1Y: 6.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFEN

• 1D: -4.09%
• 1M: 13.58%
• YTD: -4.36%
• 6M: 12.42%
• 1Y: 44.72%
• 3Y*: 59.09%
• 5Y*: 28.65%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ARMR.AX vs. DFEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ARMR.AX Betashares Global Defence ETF	-3.08%	47.73%	12.11%
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	-4.36%	137.98%	-8.59%

Correlation

The correlation between ARMR.AX and DFEN is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2024	0.07

Return for Risk

ARMR.AX vs. DFEN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ARMR.AX

ARMR.AX Risk / Return Rank: 12
ARMR.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
ARMR.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
ARMR.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
ARMR.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
ARMR.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

DFEN

DFEN Risk / Return Rank: 27
DFEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
DFEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
DFEN Omega Ratio Rank: 27
DFEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
DFEN Martin Ratio Rank: 25

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ARMR.AX vs. DFEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Betashares Global Defence ETF (ARMR.AX) and Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ARMR.AX	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.27	0.74	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.55	1.36	-0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.16	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.28	1.06	-0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.71	2.49	-1.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARMR.AX vs. DFEN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARMR.AX Sharpe Ratio is 0.27, which is lower than the DFEN Sharpe Ratio of 0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARMR.AX and DFEN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARMR.AX	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27	0.74	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.44	0.23	+1.21

Drawdowns

ARMR.AX vs. DFEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARMR.AX drawdown since its inception was -22.10%, smaller than the maximum DFEN drawdown of -90.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARMR.AX and DFEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARMR.AX	DFEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.10%	-90.01%	+67.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.10%	-42.31%	+20.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-42.31%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-47.09%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.53%	-33.98%	+16.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.57%	-45.19%	+40.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.75%	18.00%	-9.25%

Volatility

ARMR.AX vs. DFEN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Betashares Global Defence ETF (ARMR.AX) is 7.10%, while Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a volatility of 20.96%. This indicates that ARMR.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFEN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARMR.AX	DFEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.10%	20.96%	-13.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.87%	50.66%	-31.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.08%	60.90%	-37.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.91%	56.92%	-34.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.91%	68.52%	-45.61%

ARMR.AX vs. DFEN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARMR.AX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than DFEN's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARMR.AX vs. DFEN - Dividend Comparison

ARMR.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.38%, less than DFEN's 8.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARMR.AX Betashares Global Defence ETF	2.38%	2.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	8.74%	8.89%	14.12%	1.13%	0.46%	1.89%	0.48%	0.50%	1.07%	1.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARMR.AX and DFEN in my portfolio?

ARMR.AX and DFEN have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ARMR.AX or DFEN?

On fees, ARMR.AX is cheaper at 0.55% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARMR.AX or DFEN?

ARMR.AX is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for DFEN.

What is the main difference between ARMR.AX and DFEN?

ARMR.AX is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while DFEN is Leveraged Equities. ARMR.AX tracks VettaFi Global Defence Leaders Index, while DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: BetaShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ARMR.AX and 0.99% for DFEN.