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DFEN vs. VYMI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DFEN vs. VYMI

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield 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 VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFEN returned 33.49%/yr vs 13.03%/yr for VYMI. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFEN charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

DFEN vs. VYMI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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 VYMI's 12.54% return.

DFEN

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

VYMI

1D
0.02%
1M
0.76%
YTD
12.54%
6M
13.53%
1Y
32.55%
3Y*
21.05%
5Y*
13.03%
10Y*
10.72%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFEN vs. VYMI - 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%
VYMI
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF		12.54%38.05%7.06%17.07%-7.02%15.39%-1.11%18.43%-12.65%11.13%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEN and VYMI is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.45

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

0.43

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

0.54

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

0.57

The correlation between DFEN and VYMI shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (3 years) to 0.57 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFEN vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DFEN
VYMI

Industrials

18.7%
6.2%

Technology

0.0%
5.2%

Basic Materials

-

6.9%

Communication Services

-

3.7%

Consumer Cyclical

-

6.4%

Consumer Defensive

-

6.7%

Energy

-

8.6%

Financial Services

-

40.7%

Healthcare

-

6.5%

Real Estate

-

1.3%

Utilities

-

5.0%

Industrials

DFEN
18.7%
VYMI
6.2%

Technology

DFEN
0.0%
VYMI
5.2%

Basic Materials

DFEN

-

VYMI
6.9%

Communication Services

DFEN

-

VYMI
3.7%

Consumer Cyclical

DFEN

-

VYMI
6.4%

Consumer Defensive

DFEN

-

VYMI
6.7%

Energy

DFEN

-

VYMI
8.6%

Financial Services

DFEN

-

VYMI
40.7%

Healthcare

DFEN

-

VYMI
6.5%

Real Estate

DFEN

-

VYMI
1.3%

Utilities

DFEN

-

VYMI
5.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF

Often compared with DFEN:
DFEN vs. ITADFEN vs. XARDFEN vs. PPADFEN vs. SOXLDFEN vs. VOODFEN vs. SPXLDFEN vs. EUDF.DE
Often compared with VYMI:
VYMI vs. VYMVYMI vs. SCHYVYMI vs. SCHDVYMI vs. VIGIVYMI vs. VOOVYMI vs. IDEVVYMI vs. VT

Return for Risk

DFEN vs. VYMI — 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
VYMI
VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8080
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
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. VYMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

DFENVYMIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.40
2.40

-1.00

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.04
3.27

-1.22

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.43

-0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.21

3.13

-0.92

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.08

12.29

-7.22

DFEN vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEN Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEN and VYMI, 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. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEN drawdown since its inception was -91.36%, which is greater than VYMI's maximum drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEN and VYMI.

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Drawdown Indicators

DFENVYMIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-91.36%

-40.00%

-51.36%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-41.75%

-10.14%

-31.61%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-43.13%

-12.84%

-30.29%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-55.30%

-24.05%

-31.25%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-40.00%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-20.73%

-0.95%

-19.78%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-45.15%

-6.29%

-38.86%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

18.16%

2.58%

+15.58%

Volatility

DFEN vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a higher volatility of 25.14% compared to Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) at 4.13%. This indicates that DFEN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DFENVYMIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

25.14%

4.13%

+21.01%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

56.03%

11.13%

+44.90%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

66.17%

13.23%

+52.94%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

60.80%

14.87%

+45.93%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

71.64%

16.84%

+54.80%

DFEN vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFEN has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFEN vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

DFEN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.38%, more than VYMI's 4.71% yield.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
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%
VYMI
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF		3.63%3.68%4.84%4.58%4.70%4.30%3.22%4.20%4.29%3.21%2.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

DFEN and VYMI have a correlation of 0.45, 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 VYMI (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEN dropped -91.36% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

On 5-year performance, DFEN leads with 33.49% vs 13.03% for VYMI. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. 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 13.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for DFEN.

DFEN has the higher dividend yield at 7.38%, compared with 3.63% for VYMI.

DFEN is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VYMI is Dividend. DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300% Daily), while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for DFEN and 0.07% for VYMI.

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 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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