BRZU vs. EWZS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BRZU (Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares) and EWZS (iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BRZU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index, while EWZS is a Latin America Equities fund tracking the MSCI Brazil Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BRZU returned -15.64%/yr vs 7.86%/yr for EWZS. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BRZU charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWZS.

Performance

BRZU vs. EWZS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares (BRZU) and iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF (EWZS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRZU achieves a 19.48% return, which is significantly higher than EWZS's 4.95% return. Over the past 10 years, BRZU has underperformed EWZS with an annualized return of -15.64%, while EWZS has yielded a comparatively higher 7.86% annualized return.

BRZU

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: -18.56%
• YTD: 19.48%
• 6M: 10.44%
• 1Y: 69.96%
• 3Y*: 11.88%
• 5Y*: -2.00%
• 10Y*: -15.64%

EWZS

• 1D: -4.37%
• 1M: -8.19%
• YTD: 4.95%
• 6M: -2.70%
• 1Y: 8.41%
• 3Y*: 2.41%
• 5Y*: -4.16%
• 10Y*: 7.86%

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

BRZU vs. EWZS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRZU Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares	19.48%	97.99%	-57.07%	55.48%	8.30%	-39.23%	-91.34%	57.02%	-37.21%	30.80%
EWZS iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF	4.95%	45.18%	-35.95%	32.65%	-11.20%	-14.09%	-20.86%	50.60%	-7.13%	54.18%

Correlation

The correlation between BRZU and EWZS is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2013	0.88

The correlation between BRZU and EWZS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

BRZU vs. EWZS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BRZU	EWZS
Financial Services	32.7%	10.4%
Energy	18.7%	4.8%
Basic Materials	13.7%	16.5%
Utilities	12.8%	12.1%
Industrials	10.9%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	10.9%
Healthcare	2.4%	4.8%
Communication Services	2.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.5%	15.5%
Technology	0.9%	3.0%
Real Estate	-	13.4%

Return for Risk

BRZU vs. EWZS — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRZU

BRZU Risk / Return Rank: 41
BRZU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
BRZU Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
BRZU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
BRZU Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
BRZU Martin Ratio Rank: 41

EWZS

EWZS Risk / Return Rank: 14
EWZS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
EWZS Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
EWZS Omega Ratio Rank: 13
EWZS Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
EWZS Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

BRZU vs. EWZS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares (BRZU) and iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF (EWZS). 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.

	BRZU	EWZS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	0.28	+1.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	0.60	+1.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.07	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	0.50	+2.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.77	1.24	+5.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRZU vs. EWZS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRZU Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is higher than the EWZS Sharpe Ratio of 0.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRZU and EWZS, 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

	BRZU	EWZS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	0.28	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04	-0.13	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.19	0.21	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.35	-0.03	-0.32

Drawdowns

BRZU vs. EWZS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRZU drawdown since its inception was -99.71%, which is greater than EWZS's maximum drawdown of -79.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRZU and EWZS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRZU	EWZS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.71%	-79.23%	-20.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.06%	-17.05%	-11.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.25%	-37.55%	-20.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-65.00%	-48.78%	-16.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.11%	-63.15%	-34.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.14%	-30.99%	-68.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.55%	-36.57%	-52.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.46%	6.79%	+3.67%

Volatility

BRZU vs. EWZS - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares (BRZU) has a higher volatility of 14.71% compared to iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF (EWZS) at 11.03%. This indicates that BRZU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWZS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRZU	EWZS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.71%	11.03%	+3.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.12%	25.56%	+15.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.12%	30.44%	+18.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	55.33%	33.12%	+22.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	83.14%	36.79%	+46.35%

BRZU vs. EWZS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRZU has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than EWZS's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRZU vs. EWZS - Dividend Comparison

BRZU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%, less than EWZS's 3.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRZU Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 2X Shares	2.23%	2.39%	8.73%	3.24%	4.70%	6.29%	0.78%	0.95%	1.04%	0.74%	0.00%	0.00%
EWZS iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF	3.69%	3.88%	4.93%	2.75%	4.61%	4.51%	1.15%	1.77%	4.35%	3.41%	3.62%	4.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRZU and EWZS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, BRZU and EWZS move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BRZU or EWZS?

BRZU has higher volatility (14.71%) compared to EWZS (11.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRZU dropped -99.71% vs EWZS's -79.23%.

Which ETF is better, BRZU or EWZS?

On 10-year performance, EWZS leads with 7.86% vs -15.64% for BRZU. On fees, EWZS is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, EWZS has been the lower-risk option at 11.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BRZU or EWZS?

Over the 10-year period, EWZS has performed better with a 7.86% return vs -15.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BRZU or EWZS?

EWZS is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for BRZU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BRZU or EWZS?

EWZS has the higher dividend yield at 3.69%, compared with 2.23% for BRZU.

What is the main difference between BRZU and EWZS?

BRZU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while EWZS is Latin America Equities. BRZU tracks MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index, while EWZS tracks MSCI Brazil Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for BRZU and 0.59% for EWZS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BRZU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.28), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.