DUSL vs. DFEN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DUSL (Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares) and DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - DUSL tracks the Industrials Select Sector Index (300%) while DFEN tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DUSL returned 17.84%/yr vs 26.54%/yr for DFEN. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DUSL charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for DFEN.

Performance

DUSL vs. DFEN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares (DUSL) 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, DUSL achieves a 31.08% return, which is significantly higher than DFEN's 2.17% return.

DUSL

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 4.49%
• YTD: 31.08%
• 6M: 34.15%
• 1Y: 56.97%
• 3Y*: 48.85%
• 5Y*: 17.84%
• 10Y*: —

DFEN

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

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

DUSL vs. DFEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DUSL Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares	31.08%	37.50%	34.75%	37.23%	-31.17%	60.72%	-19.77%	90.70%	-46.28%	48.29%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between DUSL and DFEN is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2017	0.80

The correlation between DUSL and DFEN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

DUSL vs. DFEN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DUSL	DFEN
Industrials	20.1%	19.7%
Utilities	1.2%	-
Technology	0.8%	0.0%
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

DUSL vs. DFEN — Risk / Return Rank

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

DUSL

DUSL Risk / Return Rank: 34
DUSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
DUSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
DUSL Omega Ratio Rank: 31
DUSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
DUSL Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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

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.

DUSL vs. DFEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares (DUSL) 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.

	DUSL	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.22	0.95	+0.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	1.59	+0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.19	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	1.43	+0.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.71	3.44	+2.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DUSL vs. DFEN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DUSL Sharpe Ratio is 1.22, which is comparable to the DFEN Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DUSL 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DUSL	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.22	0.95	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.44	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.21	+0.08

Drawdowns

DUSL vs. DFEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DUSL drawdown since its inception was -85.74%, smaller than the maximum DFEN drawdown of -91.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DUSL and DFEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	DUSL	DFEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.74%	-91.36%	+5.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.68%	-41.75%	+8.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.86%	-43.13%	-7.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.43%	-56.23%	-2.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.12%	-33.04%	+20.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.00%	-45.27%	+23.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.01%	17.36%	-7.35%

Volatility

DUSL vs. DFEN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares (DUSL) is 14.46%, while Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a volatility of 22.35%. This indicates that DUSL 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

	DUSL	DFEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.46%	22.35%	-7.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.89%	53.06%	-14.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.89%	63.21%	-16.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.51%	60.16%	-7.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	61.55%	71.48%	-9.93%

DUSL vs. DFEN - Expense Ratio Comparison

DUSL has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than DFEN's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

DUSL vs. DFEN - Dividend Comparison

DUSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.74%, which matches DFEN's 8.74% 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%
DUSL Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares	8.74%	11.39%	6.61%	1.28%	0.66%	0.07%	0.48%	1.01%	1.46%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DUSL and DFEN in my portfolio?

DUSL and DFEN have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DUSL or DFEN?

DFEN has higher volatility (22.35%) compared to DUSL (14.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DUSL dropped -85.74% vs DFEN's -91.36%.

Which ETF is better, DUSL or DFEN?

On 5-year performance, DFEN leads with 26.54% vs 17.84% for DUSL. On fees, DFEN is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, DUSL has been the lower-risk option at 14.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DUSL or DFEN?

Over the 5-year period, DFEN has performed better with a 26.54% return vs 17.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DUSL or DFEN?

DFEN is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for DUSL.

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

DUSL and DFEN have nearly identical dividend yields, around 8.74%.

What is the main difference between DUSL and DFEN?

DUSL tracks Industrials Select Sector Index (300%), while DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 1.01% for DUSL and 0.99% for DFEN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DUSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.22 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.