DFEN vs. ERX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) and ERX (Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - DFEN tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%) while ERX tracks the Energy Select Sector Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFEN returned 27.43%/yr vs 28.42%/yr for ERX. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFEN charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for ERX.

Performance

DFEN vs. ERX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) and Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFEN achieves a 4.76% return, which is significantly lower than ERX's 64.27% return.

DFEN

• 1D: -2.96%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 4.76%
• 6M: 19.83%
• 1Y: 57.44%
• 3Y*: 61.07%
• 5Y*: 27.43%
• 10Y*: —

ERX

• 1D: 2.24%
• 1M: 8.51%
• YTD: 64.27%
• 6M: 60.89%
• 1Y: 88.96%
• 3Y*: 21.63%
• 5Y*: 28.42%
• 10Y*: -9.26%

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

DFEN vs. ERX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	4.76%	156.62%	27.07%	24.70%	6.99%	12.72%	-70.23%	95.09%	-32.86%	83.64%
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares	64.27%	2.79%	1.09%	-12.26%	130.58%	111.91%	-91.60%	17.13%	-55.94%	24.63%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEN and ERX is -0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2017	0.46

The correlation between DFEN and ERX shifts across timeframes, from -0.05 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFEN vs. ERX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFEN	ERX
Industrials	19.7%	-
Technology	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DFEN vs. ERX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFEN

DFEN Risk / Return Rank: 29
DFEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
DFEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
DFEN Omega Ratio Rank: 29
DFEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
DFEN Martin Ratio Rank: 26

ERX

ERX Risk / Return Rank: 68
ERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
ERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ERX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ERX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

DFEN vs. ERX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) and Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX). 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.

	DFEN	ERX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	2.18	-1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	2.60	-1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.32	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	3.83	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.26	10.23	-6.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFEN vs. ERX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEN Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the ERX Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEN and ERX, 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

	DFEN	ERX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	2.18	-1.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.55	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	-0.09	+0.31

Drawdowns

DFEN vs. ERX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEN drawdown since its inception was -91.36%, smaller than the maximum ERX drawdown of -99.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEN and ERX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFEN	ERX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.36%	-99.54%	+8.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.75%	-23.34%	-18.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-43.13%	-42.34%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.30%	-46.90%	-8.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-98.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.35%	-91.71%	+60.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.25%	-67.04%	+21.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.66%	8.73%	+8.93%

Volatility

DFEN vs. ERX - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a higher volatility of 21.71% compared to Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX) at 14.00%. This indicates that DFEN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ERX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFEN	ERX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.71%	14.00%	+7.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	53.65%	33.45%	+20.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	64.00%	41.05%	+22.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	60.30%	52.01%	+8.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	71.51%	69.14%	+2.37%

DFEN vs. ERX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFEN has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than ERX's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFEN vs. ERX - Dividend Comparison

DFEN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.52%, more than ERX's 1.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	8.52%	8.89%	14.12%	1.13%	0.46%	1.89%	0.48%	0.50%	1.07%	1.50%
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares	1.63%	2.54%	2.94%	3.17%	2.23%	2.16%	2.35%	1.56%	3.10%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFEN and ERX in my portfolio?

DFEN and ERX have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFEN or ERX?

DFEN has higher volatility (21.71%) compared to ERX (14.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEN dropped -91.36% vs ERX's -99.54%.

Which ETF is better, DFEN or ERX?

On 5-year performance, ERX leads with 28.42% vs 27.43% for DFEN. On fees, DFEN is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, ERX has been the lower-risk option at 14.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFEN or ERX?

Over the 5-year period, ERX has performed better with a 28.42% return vs 27.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFEN or ERX?

DFEN is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for ERX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFEN or ERX?

DFEN has the higher dividend yield at 8.52%, compared with 1.63% for ERX.

What is the main difference between DFEN and ERX?

DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%), while ERX tracks Energy Select Sector Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 0.99% for DFEN and 1.09% for ERX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ERX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 0.90), 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.