DFEN vs. SOXL
Compare and contrast key facts about Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL).
DFEN and SOXL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DFEN is a passively managed fund by Direxion that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). It was launched on May 3, 2017. SOXL is a passively managed fund by Direxion that tracks the performance of the PHLX Semiconductor Index (300%). It was launched on Mar 11, 2010. Both DFEN and SOXL are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
DFEN vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison
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DFEN vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | -1.16% | 156.62% | 27.07% | 24.70% | 6.99% | 12.72% | -70.23% | 95.09% | -32.86% | 83.64% |
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares | 13.99% | 54.91% | -12.31% | 226.98% | -85.66% | 118.84% | 70.04% | 231.83% | -39.07% | 79.29% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFEN achieves a -1.16% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 13.99% return.
DFEN
- 1D
- 11.19%
- 1M
- -30.09%
- YTD
- -1.16%
- 6M
- 1.22%
- 1Y
- 127.12%
- 3Y*
- 56.37%
- 5Y*
- 30.53%
- 10Y*
- —
SOXL
- 1D
- 17.95%
- 1M
- -23.67%
- YTD
- 13.99%
- 6M
- 37.51%
- 1Y
- 201.41%
- 3Y*
- 38.75%
- 5Y*
- 3.09%
- 10Y*
- 39.88%
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DFEN vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both DFEN and SOXL have an expense ratio of 0.99%.
Return for Risk
DFEN vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank
DFEN
SOXL
DFEN vs. SOXL - 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 Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL). 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 | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.83 | 1.70 | +0.13 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.27 | 2.34 | -0.07 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.34 | -0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.03 | 4.06 | -1.03 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.38 | 12.39 | -2.00 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DFEN | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.83 | 1.70 | +0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 | 0.03 | +0.49 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.41 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.21 | 0.35 | -0.14 |
Correlation
The correlation between DFEN and SOXL is 0.47, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
DFEN vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison
DFEN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.03%, more than SOXL's 0.16% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 9.03% | 8.89% | 14.12% | 1.13% | 0.46% | 1.89% | 0.48% | 0.50% | 1.07% | 1.50% | 0.00% |
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares | 0.16% | 0.34% | 1.18% | 0.51% | 1.07% | 0.04% | 0.05% | 0.38% | 1.30% | 0.09% | 4.84% |
Drawdowns
DFEN vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFEN drawdown since its inception was -91.36%, roughly equal to the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEN and SOXL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFEN | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -91.36% | -90.46% | -0.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -41.75% | -49.26% | +7.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -56.23% | -90.46% | +34.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -90.46% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -35.23% | -33.33% | -1.90% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -45.54% | -35.34% | -10.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.18% | 16.14% | -3.96% |
Volatility
DFEN vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) is 23.85%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL) has a volatility of 40.35%. This indicates that DFEN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFEN | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 23.85% | 40.35% | -16.50% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 48.18% | 79.51% | -31.33% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 69.88% | 119.21% | -49.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 59.00% | 105.43% | -46.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 71.31% | 97.70% | -26.39% |