DUTY vs. DFEN

Last updated Jul 8, 2026

DUTY (U.S. Defense ETF) and DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - DUTY is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Solactive U.S. Defense Index, while DFEN is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300% Daily). Both are passively managed. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DUTY charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for DFEN.

Performance

DUTY vs. DFEN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

DUTY

• 1D: -1.88%
• 1M: 1.53%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFEN

• 1D: -6.41%
• 1M: 19.33%
• 6M: 4.82%
• YTD: 28.82%
• 1Y: 77.08%
• 3Y*: 71.92%
• 5Y*: 34.75%
• 10Y*: —

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

DUTY vs. DFEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DUTY U.S. Defense ETF	5.47%
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	23.08%

Correlation

The correlation between DUTY and DFEN is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2026	0.56

Return for Risk

DUTY vs. DFEN — Risk / Return Rank

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

DUTY

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

DFEN

DFEN Risk / Return Rank: 38
DFEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
DFEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
DFEN Omega Ratio Rank: 37
DFEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
DFEN Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

DUTY vs. DFEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Defense ETF (DUTY) 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.

	DUTY	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.17	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.84	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.22	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.86	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	4.15	—

Drawdowns

DUTY vs. DFEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DUTY drawdown since its inception was -13.42%, smaller than the maximum DFEN drawdown of -91.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DUTY and DFEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	DUTY	DFEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.42%	-91.36%	+77.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-41.75%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-43.13%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-52.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.37%	-15.58%	+11.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.48%	-45.03%	+40.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	18.63%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DUTY	DFEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	22.35%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	54.77%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.50%	66.20%	-38.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.50%	60.82%	-33.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.50%	71.57%	-44.07%

DUTY vs. DFEN - Expense Ratio Comparison

DUTY has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than DFEN's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

DUTY vs. DFEN - Dividend Comparison

DUTY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFEN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.89%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	6.89%	8.89%	14.12%	1.13%	0.46%	1.89%	0.48%	0.50%	1.07%	1.50%
DUTY U.S. Defense ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DUTY and DFEN in my portfolio?

DUTY and DFEN have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DUTY or DFEN?

On fees, DUTY is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DUTY or DFEN?

DUTY is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for DFEN.

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

DFEN has the higher dividend yield at 6.89%, compared with 0.00% for DUTY.

What is the main difference between DUTY and DFEN?

DUTY is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while DFEN is Leveraged Equities. DUTY tracks Solactive U.S. Defense Index, while DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300% Daily). They also come from different issuers: Aura and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for DUTY and 0.96% for DFEN.