ERX vs. VSDB
ERX (Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares) and VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - ERX is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index (300%), while VSDB is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. ERX is passively managed, while VSDB is actively managed. Over the past year, ERX returned 90.37% vs 5.27% for VSDB. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. ERX charges 1.09%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VSDB.
Performance
ERX vs. VSDB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ERX achieves a 66.93% return, which is significantly higher than VSDB's 0.94% return.
ERX
- 1D
- 2.68%
- 1M
- -3.38%
- YTD
- 66.93%
- 6M
- 59.74%
- 1Y
- 90.37%
- 3Y*
- 23.69%
- 5Y*
- 28.75%
- 10Y*
- -8.79%
VSDB
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.23%
- YTD
- 0.94%
- 6M
- 1.35%
- 1Y
- 5.27%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ERX vs. VSDB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares | 66.93% | 1.92% |
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares | 0.94% | 4.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between ERX and VSDB is -0.27, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025 | -0.22 |
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Return for Risk
ERX vs. VSDB — Risk / Return Rank
ERX
VSDB
ERX vs. VSDB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX) and Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB). 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.
| ERX | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.82 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.63 | -0.31 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.89 | 3.72 | +0.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.60 | 16.38 | -5.78 |
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
| ERX | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.21 | 3.04 | -0.82 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.56 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.13 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | -0.09 | 2.65 | -2.74 |
Drawdowns
ERX vs. VSDB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ERX drawdown since its inception was -99.54%, which is greater than VSDB's maximum drawdown of -1.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ERX and VSDB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ERX | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -99.54% | -1.42% | -98.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -23.34% | -1.42% | -21.92% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -42.34% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.90% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -98.59% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -91.57% | -0.16% | -91.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -67.02% | -0.19% | -66.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.57% | 0.32% | +8.25% |
Volatility
ERX vs. VSDB - Volatility Comparison
Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX) has a higher volatility of 16.49% compared to Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) at 0.55%. This indicates that ERX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSDB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ERX | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 16.49% | 0.55% | +15.94% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 33.45% | 1.35% | +32.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 41.14% | 1.75% | +39.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 51.98% | 1.90% | +50.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 69.18% | 1.90% | +67.28% |
ERX vs. VSDB - Expense Ratio Comparison
ERX has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VSDB's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
ERX vs. VSDB - Dividend Comparison
ERX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than VSDB's 4.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares | 1.61% | 2.54% | 2.94% | 3.17% | 2.23% | 2.16% | 2.35% | 1.56% | 3.10% | 0.85% |
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares | 4.17% | 3.30% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ERX and VSDB have a correlation of -0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ERX has higher volatility (16.49%) compared to VSDB (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ERX dropped -99.54% vs VSDB's -1.42%.
On 1-year performance, ERX leads with 90.37% vs 5.27% for VSDB. On fees, VSDB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, VSDB has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ERX has performed better with a 90.37% return vs 5.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VSDB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for ERX.
VSDB has the higher dividend yield at 4.17%, compared with 1.61% for ERX.
ERX is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VSDB is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.09% for ERX and 0.15% for VSDB.
VSDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.21), 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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