FLYD vs. SPDN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLYD (MicroSectors Travel -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs) and SPDN (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares) are both Inverse Equities funds - FLYD tracks the MerQube MicroSectors U.S. Travel Index while SPDN tracks the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FLYD returned -55.26%/yr vs -12.80%/yr for SPDN. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLYD charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SPDN.

Performance

FLYD vs. SPDN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Travel -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (FLYD) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares (SPDN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLYD achieves a -11.20% return, which is significantly lower than SPDN's -7.81% return.

FLYD

• 1D: 3.25%
• 1M: -18.38%
• YTD: -11.20%
• 6M: -19.27%
• 1Y: -48.13%
• 3Y*: -55.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPDN

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -4.42%
• YTD: -7.81%
• 6M: -7.36%
• 1Y: -16.94%
• 3Y*: -12.80%
• 5Y*: -8.88%
• 10Y*: —

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

FLYD vs. SPDN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FLYD MicroSectors Travel -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs	-11.20%	-60.42%	-54.13%	-75.14%	-46.23%
SPDN Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares	-7.81%	-11.09%	-12.88%	-15.04%	-3.10%

Correlation

The correlation between FLYD and SPDN is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2022	0.71

The correlation between FLYD and SPDN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FLYD vs. SPDN — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLYD

FLYD Risk / Return Rank: 3
FLYD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
FLYD Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
FLYD Omega Ratio Rank: 4
FLYD Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
FLYD Martin Ratio Rank: 3

SPDN

SPDN Risk / Return Rank: 1
SPDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
SPDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SPDN Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SPDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SPDN Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

FLYD vs. SPDN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Travel -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (FLYD) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares (SPDN). 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.

	FLYD	SPDN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.65	-1.41	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.67	-2.02	+1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	0.78	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.88	-0.95	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.30	-1.74	+0.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLYD vs. SPDN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLYD Sharpe Ratio is -0.65, which is higher than the SPDN Sharpe Ratio of -1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLYD and SPDN, 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

	FLYD	SPDN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.65	-1.41	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.75	-0.70	-0.05

Drawdowns

FLYD vs. SPDN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLYD drawdown since its inception was -98.11%, which is greater than SPDN's maximum drawdown of -75.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLYD and SPDN.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLYD	SPDN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.11%	-75.31%	-22.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-54.89%	-17.95%	-36.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-93.41%	-38.24%	-55.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-97.95%	-75.17%	-22.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-83.12%	-48.54%	-34.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	37.06%	9.78%	+27.28%

Volatility

FLYD vs. SPDN - Volatility Comparison

MicroSectors Travel -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (FLYD) has a higher volatility of 25.85% compared to Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares (SPDN) at 2.78%. This indicates that FLYD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPDN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLYD	SPDN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.85%	2.78%	+23.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	59.48%	9.08%	+50.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	74.47%	12.10%	+62.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	83.70%	16.86%	+66.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	83.70%	18.04%	+65.66%

FLYD vs. SPDN - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLYD has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDN's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLYD vs. SPDN - Dividend Comparison

FLYD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPDN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLYD MicroSectors Travel -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPDN Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares	4.09%	4.06%	5.32%	5.84%	0.96%	0.00%	0.10%	1.89%	1.24%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLYD and SPDN in my portfolio?

FLYD and SPDN have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLYD or SPDN?

FLYD has higher volatility (25.85%) compared to SPDN (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLYD dropped -98.11% vs SPDN's -75.31%.

Which ETF is better, FLYD or SPDN?

On 3-year performance, SPDN leads with -12.80% vs -55.26% for FLYD. On fees, SPDN is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SPDN has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLYD or SPDN?

Over the 3-year period, SPDN has performed better with a -12.80% return vs -55.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLYD or SPDN?

SPDN is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FLYD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLYD or SPDN?

SPDN has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 0.00% for FLYD.

What is the main difference between FLYD and SPDN?

FLYD tracks MerQube MicroSectors U.S. Travel Index, while SPDN tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: REX and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FLYD and 0.50% for SPDN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLYD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.65 vs -1.41), 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.