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DFEN vs. SDIV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DFEN vs. SDIV

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) and SDIV (Global X SuperDividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFEN is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300% Daily), while SDIV is a Global Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global SuperDividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFEN returned 33.49%/yr vs -0.45%/yr for SDIV. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFEN charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for SDIV.

Performance

DFEN vs. SDIV - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFEN achieves a 20.97% return, which is significantly higher than SDIV's 4.37% return.

DFEN

1D
-4.32%
1M
17.09%
YTD
20.97%
6M
21.25%
1Y
87.39%
3Y*
67.96%
5Y*
33.49%
10Y*
—

SDIV

1D
-0.41%
1M
-3.17%
YTD
4.37%
6M
5.16%
1Y
20.13%
3Y*
13.47%
5Y*
-0.45%
10Y*
-0.25%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFEN vs. SDIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DFEN
Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares		20.97%156.62%27.07%24.70%6.99%12.72%-70.23%95.09%-32.86%83.64%
SDIV
Global X SuperDividend ETF		4.37%29.12%1.77%5.46%-26.43%3.76%-20.89%13.04%-15.07%5.06%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEN and SDIV is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.37

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.41

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.49

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017

0.54

The correlation between DFEN and SDIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFEN vs. SDIV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DFEN
SDIV

Industrials

18.7%
14.7%

Technology

0.0%
1.6%

Basic Materials

-

2.9%

Communication Services

-

6.3%

Consumer Cyclical

-

5.6%

Consumer Defensive

-

3.7%

Energy

-

17.2%

Financial Services

-

9.1%

Healthcare

-

1.3%

Real Estate

-

36.7%

Utilities

-

1.0%

Industrials

DFEN
18.7%
SDIV
14.7%

Technology

DFEN
0.0%
SDIV
1.6%

Basic Materials

DFEN

-

SDIV
2.9%

Communication Services

DFEN

-

SDIV
6.3%

Consumer Cyclical

DFEN

-

SDIV
5.6%

Consumer Defensive

DFEN

-

SDIV
3.7%

Energy

DFEN

-

SDIV
17.2%

Financial Services

DFEN

-

SDIV
9.1%

Healthcare

DFEN

-

SDIV
1.3%

Real Estate

DFEN

-

SDIV
36.7%

Utilities

DFEN

-

SDIV
1.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares

Global X SuperDividend ETF

Often compared with DFEN:
DFEN vs. ITADFEN vs. XARDFEN vs. PPADFEN vs. SOXLDFEN vs. VOODFEN vs. SPXLDFEN vs. EUDF.DE
Often compared with SDIV:
SDIV vs. SCHDSDIV vs. SPHDSDIV vs. VYMSDIV vs. SPYSDIV vs. SDEMSDIV vs. DGROSDIV vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

DFEN vs. SDIV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DFEN
DFEN Risk / Return Rank: 4040
Overall Rank
DFEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DFEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 4242
Sortino Ratio Rank
DFEN Omega Ratio Rank: 3737
Omega Ratio Rank
DFEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 4646
Calmar Ratio Rank
DFEN Martin Ratio Rank: 3636
Martin Ratio Rank
SDIV
SDIV Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
SDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4545
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
SDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 4242
Omega Ratio Rank
SDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 5656
Calmar Ratio Rank
SDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
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. SDIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) and Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV). 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.

DFENSDIVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.40
1.52

-0.12

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.04
2.11

-0.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.27

-0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.21

2.63

-0.41

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.08

8.40

-3.32

DFEN vs. SDIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEN Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the SDIV Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEN and SDIV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

DFEN vs. SDIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEN drawdown since its inception was -91.36%, which is greater than SDIV's maximum drawdown of -56.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEN and SDIV.

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Drawdown Indicators

DFENSDIVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-91.36%

-56.90%

-34.46%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-41.75%

-7.35%

-34.40%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-43.13%

-18.64%

-24.49%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-55.30%

-40.32%

-14.98%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-56.90%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-20.73%

-19.01%

-1.72%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-45.15%

-18.58%

-26.57%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

18.16%

2.29%

+15.87%

Volatility

DFEN vs. SDIV - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a higher volatility of 25.14% compared to Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV) at 4.26%. This indicates that DFEN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DFENSDIVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

25.14%

4.26%

+20.88%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

56.03%

9.91%

+46.12%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

66.17%

12.71%

+53.46%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

60.80%

16.87%

+43.93%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

71.64%

18.97%

+52.67%

DFEN vs. SDIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFEN has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than SDIV's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFEN vs. SDIV - Dividend Comparison

DFEN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.38%, less than SDIV's 9.38% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DFEN
Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares		7.38%8.89%14.12%1.13%0.46%1.89%0.48%0.50%1.07%1.50%0.00%0.00%
SDIV
Global X SuperDividend ETF		9.38%9.59%11.33%11.73%14.17%8.95%7.96%8.73%9.22%6.66%6.95%7.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

DFEN and SDIV have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

DFEN has higher volatility (25.14%) compared to SDIV (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEN dropped -91.36% vs SDIV's -56.90%.

On 5-year performance, DFEN leads with 33.49% vs -0.45% for SDIV. On fees, SDIV is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, SDIV has been the lower-risk option at 4.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, DFEN has performed better with a 33.49% return vs -0.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SDIV is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for DFEN.

SDIV has the higher dividend yield at 9.38%, compared with 7.38% for DFEN.

DFEN is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SDIV is Global Equities. DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300% Daily), while SDIV tracks Solactive Global SuperDividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for DFEN and 0.58% for SDIV.

SDIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.40), 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.

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