ITA vs. NFXS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) and NFXS (Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, while NFXS is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Direxion. ITA is passively managed, while NFXS is actively managed. Over the past year, ITA returned 29.57% vs 64.26% for NFXS. At a correlation of -0.21, they often move in opposite directions. ITA charges 0.38%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for NFXS.

Performance

ITA vs. NFXS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) and Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares (NFXS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ITA achieves a 10.04% return, which is significantly lower than NFXS's 24.21% return.

ITA

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 4.76%
• YTD: 10.04%
• 6M: 7.54%
• 1Y: 29.57%
• 3Y*: 28.50%
• 5Y*: 17.14%
• 10Y*: 15.66%

NFXS

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 21.28%
• YTD: 24.21%
• 6M: 24.00%
• 1Y: 64.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ITA vs. NFXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	10.04%	48.64%	-3.69%
NFXS Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares	24.21%	-8.56%	-21.49%

Correlation

The correlation between ITA and NFXS is -0.11, 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	-0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2024	-0.21

Return for Risk

ITA vs. NFXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 38
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 37
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 34

NFXS

NFXS Risk / Return Rank: 55
NFXS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
NFXS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
NFXS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
NFXS Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
NFXS Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

ITA vs. NFXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) and Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares (NFXS). 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.

	ITA	NFXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.91	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	2.55	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.36	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	2.06	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.93	5.64	-0.71

ITA vs. NFXS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITA Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is comparable to the NFXS Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITA and NFXS, 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

ITA vs. NFXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITA drawdown since its inception was -59.72%, which is greater than NFXS's maximum drawdown of -50.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITA and NFXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITA	NFXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.72%	-50.37%	-9.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.82%	-31.31%	+15.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.72%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.72%	-12.88%	+7.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.45%	-31.93%	+22.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.01%	11.45%	-5.44%

Volatility

ITA vs. NFXS - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a higher volatility of 8.49% compared to Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares (NFXS) at 7.74%. This indicates that ITA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFXS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ITA	NFXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.49%	7.74%	+0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.48%	26.22%	-7.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.90%	33.81%	-11.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.23%	34.65%	-14.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.23%	34.65%	-11.42%

ITA vs. NFXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITA has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than NFXS's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ITA vs. NFXS - Dividend Comparison

ITA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than NFXS's 3.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.45%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%
NFXS Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares	3.23%	3.53%	0.87%	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 ITA and NFXS in my portfolio?

ITA and NFXS have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITA or NFXS?

ITA has higher volatility (8.49%) compared to NFXS (7.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITA dropped -59.72% vs NFXS's -50.37%.

Which ETF is better, ITA or NFXS?

On 1-year performance, NFXS leads with 64.26% vs 29.57% for ITA. On fees, ITA is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, NFXS has been the lower-risk option at 7.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ITA or NFXS?

Over the 1-year period, NFXS has performed better with a 64.26% return vs 29.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITA or NFXS?

ITA is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 1.03% for NFXS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ITA or NFXS?

NFXS has the higher dividend yield at 3.23%, compared with 0.45% for ITA.

What is the main difference between ITA and NFXS?

ITA is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while NFXS is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for ITA and 1.03% for NFXS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NFXS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.36), 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.