CHAU vs. AFK

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CHAU (Direxion Daily CSI 300 China A Share Bull 2x Shares) and AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CHAU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the CSI 300 Index (200%), while AFK is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CHAU returned 5.49%/yr vs 5.69%/yr for AFK. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CHAU charges 1.21%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for AFK.

Performance

CHAU vs. AFK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily CSI 300 China A Share Bull 2x Shares (CHAU) and VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CHAU achieves a 15.68% return, which is significantly higher than AFK's -2.24% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CHAU having a 5.49% annualized return and AFK not far ahead at 5.69%.

CHAU

• 1D: -6.92%
• 1M: 2.59%
• YTD: 15.68%
• 6M: 16.43%
• 1Y: 74.53%
• 3Y*: 14.03%
• 5Y*: -8.64%
• 10Y*: 5.49%

AFK

• 1D: -2.39%
• 1M: -2.75%
• YTD: -2.24%
• 6M: -2.61%
• 1Y: 35.42%
• 3Y*: 22.56%
• 5Y*: 5.84%
• 10Y*: 5.69%

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

CHAU vs. AFK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CHAU Direxion Daily CSI 300 China A Share Bull 2x Shares	15.68%	47.73%	6.61%	-28.25%	-49.17%	-2.84%	71.95%	70.01%	-51.03%	74.91%
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	-2.24%	74.71%	12.10%	-12.11%	-17.31%	3.00%	4.26%	9.90%	-19.55%	28.22%

Correlation

The correlation between CHAU and AFK is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2015	0.42

CHAU vs. AFK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CHAU	AFK
Technology	31.1%	-
Financial Services	19.1%	37.1%
Industrials	16.1%	3.4%
Basic Materials	9.4%	34.1%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	1.5%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	6.3%
Healthcare	4.4%	0.5%
Utilities	3.1%	0.1%
Energy	2.5%	4.3%
Communication Services	0.8%	12.5%
Real Estate	0.4%	0.2%

Return for Risk

CHAU vs. AFK — Risk / Return Rank

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

CHAU

CHAU Risk / Return Rank: 71
CHAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
CHAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
CHAU Omega Ratio Rank: 60
CHAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
CHAU Martin Ratio Rank: 76

AFK

AFK Risk / Return Rank: 37
AFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
AFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
AFK Omega Ratio Rank: 39
AFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
AFK Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

CHAU vs. AFK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily CSI 300 China A Share Bull 2x Shares (CHAU) and VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CHAU	AFK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	1.32	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	1.78	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.24	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.91	1.82	+3.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.77	5.01	+8.77

CHAU vs. AFK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CHAU Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is higher than the AFK Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CHAU and AFK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CHAU vs. AFK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CHAU drawdown since its inception was -79.21%, which is greater than AFK's maximum drawdown of -62.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CHAU and AFK.

Drawdown Indicators

	CHAU	AFK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.21%	-62.46%	-16.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.27%	-19.54%	+4.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.88%	-19.54%	-40.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.59%	-37.62%	-34.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-78.58%	-53.33%	-25.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-53.31%	-14.43%	-38.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.86%	-31.98%	-26.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.43%	7.09%	-1.66%

Volatility

CHAU vs. AFK - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily CSI 300 China A Share Bull 2x Shares (CHAU) has a higher volatility of 14.72% compared to VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) at 9.46%. This indicates that CHAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AFK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CHAU	AFK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.72%	9.46%	+5.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.68%	23.76%	+1.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.51%	26.90%	+8.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	47.32%	22.38%	+24.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.22%	22.19%	+25.03%

CHAU vs. AFK - Expense Ratio Comparison

CHAU has a 1.21% expense ratio, which is higher than AFK's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

CHAU vs. AFK - Dividend Comparison

CHAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, more than AFK's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	1.04%	1.02%	0.00%	2.27%	3.59%	4.17%	3.91%	6.34%	1.71%	1.99%	2.67%	2.16%
CHAU Direxion Daily CSI 300 China A Share Bull 2x Shares	1.76%	1.97%	2.25%	3.97%	0.77%	1.73%	0.09%	0.58%	0.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CHAU and AFK in my portfolio?

CHAU and AFK have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CHAU or AFK?

CHAU has higher volatility (14.72%) compared to AFK (9.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CHAU dropped -79.21% vs AFK's -62.46%.

Which ETF is better, CHAU or AFK?

On 10-year performance, AFK leads with 5.69% vs 5.49% for CHAU. On fees, AFK is cheaper at 0.78% per year. On volatility, AFK has been the lower-risk option at 9.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CHAU or AFK?

Over the 10-year period, AFK has performed better with a 5.69% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CHAU or AFK?

AFK is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 1.21% for CHAU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CHAU or AFK?

CHAU has the higher dividend yield at 1.76%, compared with 1.04% for AFK.

What is the main difference between CHAU and AFK?

CHAU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while AFK is Foreign Large Cap Equities. CHAU tracks CSI 300 Index (200%), while AFK tracks Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 1.21% for CHAU and 0.78% for AFK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CHAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.32), 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.