DFEN vs. KORU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) and KORU (Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - DFEN tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%) while KORU tracks the MSCI Korea 25-50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFEN returned 26.54%/yr vs 23.42%/yr for KORU. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFEN charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for KORU.

Performance

DFEN vs. KORU - 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 South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFEN achieves a 2.17% return, which is significantly lower than KORU's 559.14% return.

DFEN

• 1D: -4.54%
• 1M: 12.97%
• YTD: 2.17%
• 6M: 21.41%
• 1Y: 59.57%
• 3Y*: 63.19%
• 5Y*: 26.54%
• 10Y*: —

KORU

• 1D: -2.29%
• 1M: 92.47%
• YTD: 559.14%
• 6M: 689.29%
• 1Y: 2,160.10%
• 3Y*: 132.56%
• 5Y*: 23.42%
• 10Y*: 19.62%

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

DFEN vs. KORU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	2.17%	156.62%	27.07%	24.70%	6.99%	12.72%	-70.23%	95.09%	-32.86%	83.64%
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	559.14%	432.73%	-62.18%	28.61%	-70.16%	-33.86%	48.78%	5.47%	-59.89%	71.34%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEN and KORU is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2017	0.42

DFEN vs. KORU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFEN	KORU
Industrials	19.7%	20.4%
Technology	0.0%	52.3%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Communication Services	-	2.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.8%
Energy	-	1.4%
Financial Services	-	16.7%
Healthcare	-	3.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

DFEN vs. KORU — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

KORU

KORU Risk / Return Rank: 97
KORU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
KORU Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
KORU Omega Ratio Rank: 95
KORU Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
KORU Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. KORU - 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 South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU). 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	KORU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	17.63	-16.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.59	5.20	-3.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.72	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	35.65	-34.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.44	112.99	-109.55
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. KORU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEN Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the KORU Sharpe Ratio of 17.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEN and KORU, 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	KORU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	17.63	-16.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.28	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.25	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.13	+0.08

Drawdowns

DFEN vs. KORU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEN drawdown since its inception was -91.36%, roughly equal to the maximum KORU drawdown of -95.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEN and KORU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFEN	KORU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.36%	-95.79%	+4.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.75%	-61.39%	+19.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-43.13%	-73.71%	+30.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.23%	-93.35%	+37.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-95.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.04%	-5.39%	-27.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.27%	-57.53%	+12.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.36%	19.33%	-1.97%

Volatility

DFEN vs. KORU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) is 22.35%, while Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) has a volatility of 60.18%. This indicates that DFEN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KORU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFEN	KORU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.35%	60.18%	-37.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	53.06%	110.71%	-57.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	63.21%	124.15%	-60.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	60.16%	85.11%	-24.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	71.48%	79.91%	-8.43%

DFEN vs. KORU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFEN has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than KORU's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFEN vs. KORU - Dividend Comparison

DFEN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.74%, more than KORU's 0.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	0.14%	0.89%	4.10%	2.55%	0.48%	0.76%	0.01%	0.93%	1.40%	3.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFEN and KORU in my portfolio?

DFEN and KORU have a correlation of 0.36, 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 KORU?

KORU has higher volatility (60.18%) compared to DFEN (22.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEN dropped -91.36% vs KORU's -95.79%.

Which ETF is better, DFEN or KORU?

On 5-year performance, DFEN leads with 26.54% vs 23.42% for KORU. On fees, DFEN is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, DFEN has been the lower-risk option at 22.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFEN or KORU?

Over the 5-year period, DFEN has performed better with a 26.54% return vs 23.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFEN or KORU?

DFEN is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for KORU.

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

DFEN has the higher dividend yield at 8.74%, compared with 0.14% for KORU.

What is the main difference between DFEN and KORU?

DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%), while KORU tracks MSCI Korea 25-50 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for DFEN and 1.29% for KORU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KORU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (17.63 vs 0.95), 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.