DPST vs. DFEN

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

DPST (Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares) and DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - DPST tracks the Solactive US Regional Banks Total Return Index (300%) while DFEN tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DPST returned -21.69%/yr vs 29.22%/yr for DFEN. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

DPST vs. DFEN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DPST achieves a 31.95% return, which is significantly higher than DFEN's 13.12% return.

DPST

• 1D: 4.45%
• 1M: 29.73%
• YTD: 31.95%
• 6M: 20.81%
• 1Y: 85.23%
• 3Y*: 27.84%
• 5Y*: -21.69%
• 10Y*: -11.82%

DFEN

• 1D: -2.71%
• 1M: 21.79%
• YTD: 13.12%
• 6M: 20.44%
• 1Y: 75.01%
• 3Y*: 64.38%
• 5Y*: 29.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

DPST vs. DFEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DPST Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares	31.95%	-5.90%	15.48%	-55.79%	-54.10%	108.31%	-76.53%	70.65%	-56.75%	21.38%
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	13.12%	156.62%	27.07%	24.70%	6.99%	12.72%	-70.23%	95.09%	-32.86%	83.64%

Correlation

The correlation between DPST and DFEN 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	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between DPST and DFEN has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DPST vs. DFEN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DPST	DFEN
Financial Services	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	20.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DPST vs. DFEN — Risk / Return Rank

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

DPST

DPST Risk / Return Rank: 35
DPST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
DPST Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
DPST Omega Ratio Rank: 37
DPST Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
DPST Martin Ratio Rank: 31

DFEN

DFEN Risk / Return Rank: 38
DFEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
DFEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
DFEN Omega Ratio Rank: 36
DFEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
DFEN Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

DPST vs. DFEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	DPST	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	1.18	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	1.85	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.22	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	1.85	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.89	4.29	-0.41

DPST vs. DFEN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DPST Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is comparable to the DFEN Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DPST and DFEN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DPST vs. DFEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DPST drawdown since its inception was -97.73%, which is greater than DFEN's maximum drawdown of -91.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DPST and DFEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	DPST	DFEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.73%	-91.36%	-6.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-40.44%	-41.75%	+1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-68.38%	-43.13%	-25.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-93.99%	-55.30%	-38.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-97.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-91.92%	-25.87%	-66.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-64.19%	-45.20%	-18.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.15%	17.99%	+0.16%

Volatility

DPST vs. DFEN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares (DPST) is 18.15%, while Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a volatility of 27.31%. This indicates that DPST experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFEN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DPST	DFEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.15%	27.31%	-9.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.26%	55.81%	-8.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	69.42%	65.81%	+3.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	89.39%	60.74%	+28.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	94.58%	71.66%	+22.92%

DPST vs. DFEN - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DPST and DFEN have an expense ratio of 0.99%.

Dividends

DPST vs. DFEN - Dividend Comparison

DPST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, less than DFEN's 7.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	7.89%	8.89%	14.12%	1.13%	0.46%	1.89%	0.48%	0.50%	1.07%	1.50%
DPST Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares	1.60%	2.18%	1.55%	1.78%	1.51%	0.58%	0.90%	1.29%	2.18%	0.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DPST and DFEN in my portfolio?

DPST and DFEN 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.

Which is riskier, DPST or DFEN?

DFEN has higher volatility (27.31%) compared to DPST (18.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DPST dropped -97.73% vs DFEN's -91.36%.

Which ETF is better, DPST or DFEN?

On 5-year performance, DFEN leads with 29.22% vs -21.69% for DPST. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, DPST has been the lower-risk option at 18.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DPST or DFEN?

Over the 5-year period, DFEN has performed better with a 29.22% return vs -21.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DPST or DFEN?

DPST and DFEN have the same expense ratio: 0.99% per year.

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

DFEN has the higher dividend yield at 7.89%, compared with 1.60% for DPST.

What is the main difference between DPST and DFEN?

DPST tracks Solactive US Regional Banks Total Return Index (300%), while DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.18 vs 1.02), 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.