FLYU vs. IFED

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FLYU (MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs) and IFED (ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds - FLYU tracks the MerQube MicroSectors U.S. Travel Index while IFED tracks the IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FLYU returned 1.85%/yr vs 14.75%/yr for IFED. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLYU charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for IFED.

Performance

FLYU vs. IFED - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs (FLYU) and ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLYU achieves a -13.15% return, which is significantly lower than IFED's -2.92% return.

FLYU

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -4.58%
• 6M: -15.18%
• YTD: -13.15%
• 1Y: -16.46%
• 3Y*: 1.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IFED

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -0.83%
• 6M: -2.70%
• YTD: -2.92%
• 1Y: 0.79%
• 3Y*: 14.75%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FLYU vs. IFED - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FLYU MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs	-13.15%	-2.29%	33.00%	111.16%	-19.09%
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	-2.92%	15.02%	23.04%	20.78%	8.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FLYU and IFED 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	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2022	0.71

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

Return for Risk

FLYU vs. IFED — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLYU

FLYU Risk / Return Rank: 8
FLYU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
FLYU Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
FLYU Omega Ratio Rank: 9
FLYU Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
FLYU Martin Ratio Rank: 6

IFED

IFED Risk / Return Rank: 10
IFED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Omega Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

FLYU vs. IFED - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs (FLYU) and ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED). 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.

	FLYU	IFED	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.22	0.04	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.19	0.19	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.02	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.32	0.05	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.64	0.13	-0.77

FLYU vs. IFED - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLYU Sharpe Ratio is -0.22, which is lower than the IFED Sharpe Ratio of 0.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLYU and IFED, 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

FLYU vs. IFED - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLYU drawdown since its inception was -69.00%, which is greater than IFED's maximum drawdown of -22.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLYU and IFED.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLYU	IFED	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.00%	-22.36%	-46.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.33%	-14.65%	-37.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-69.00%	-22.36%	-46.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.11%	-4.91%	-26.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.57%	-5.83%	-20.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	25.76%	6.04%	+19.72%

Volatility

FLYU vs. IFED - Volatility Comparison

MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs (FLYU) has a higher volatility of 18.87% compared to ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) at 6.87%. This indicates that FLYU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IFED based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLYU	IFED	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.87%	6.87%	+12.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	61.15%	15.11%	+46.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	74.43%	17.72%	+56.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	82.97%	20.00%	+62.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	82.97%	20.00%	+62.97%

FLYU vs. IFED - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLYU has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than IFED's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLYU vs. IFED - Dividend Comparison

Neither FLYU nor IFED has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLYU and IFED in my portfolio?

FLYU and IFED 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, FLYU or IFED?

FLYU has higher volatility (18.87%) compared to IFED (6.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLYU dropped -69.00% vs IFED's -22.36%.

Which ETF is better, FLYU or IFED?

On 3-year performance, IFED leads with 14.75% vs 1.85% for FLYU. On fees, IFED is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, IFED has been the lower-risk option at 6.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLYU or IFED?

Over the 3-year period, IFED has performed better with a 14.75% return vs 1.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLYU or IFED?

IFED is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FLYU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLYU or IFED?

FLYU and IFED have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FLYU and IFED?

FLYU tracks MerQube MicroSectors U.S. Travel Index, while IFED tracks IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: REX and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FLYU and 0.45% for IFED.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IFED currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.04 vs -0.22), 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.