MDST vs. ERX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

MDST (Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF) and ERX (Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares) are both Energy Equities funds. MDST is actively managed, while ERX is passively managed. Over the past year, MDST returned 20.59% vs 85.96% for ERX. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MDST charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for ERX.

Performance

MDST vs. ERX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) and Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MDST achieves a 18.37% return, which is significantly lower than ERX's 71.01% return.

MDST

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 2.48%
• 6M: 12.41%
• YTD: 18.37%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.64%

ERX

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: 23.93%
• 6M: 32.46%
• YTD: 71.01%
• 1Y: 85.96%
• 3Y*: 17.67%
• 5Y*: 35.70%
• 10Y*: -8.11%
• ALL TIME*: -6.99%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares	$22.14M	$22.35M	$28.47M
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	$1.68M	$1.58M	$1.75M

MDST vs. ERX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	18.37%	7.09%	17.03%
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares	71.01%	2.79%	-24.66%

Correlation

The correlation between MDST and ERX is 0.61, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2024	0.57

The correlation between MDST and ERX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

MDST vs. ERX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MDST	ERX
Energy	98.5%	100.0%
Industrials	0.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MDST vs. ERX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MDST

MDST Risk / Return Rank: 66
MDST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
MDST Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
MDST Omega Ratio Rank: 59
MDST Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
MDST Martin Ratio Rank: 68

ERX

ERX Risk / Return Rank: 71
ERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
ERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
ERX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
ERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
ERX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MDST vs. ERX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) and Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX). 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.

	MDST	ERX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.88	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	2.31	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.29	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	2.65	+0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.30	6.74	+1.56

MDST vs. ERX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDST Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the ERX Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDST and ERX, 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

MDST vs. ERX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDST drawdown since its inception was -14.19%, smaller than the maximum ERX drawdown of -99.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDST and ERX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDST	ERX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.19%	-99.54%	+85.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-29.97%	+23.99%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.87%	-91.37%	+89.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.17%	-67.24%	+65.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	11.83%	-9.30%

Volatility

MDST vs. ERX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) is 4.47%, while Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX) has a volatility of 11.87%. This indicates that MDST experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ERX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MDST	ERX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	11.87%	-7.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	33.76%	-24.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.69%	42.31%	-29.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	51.50%	-35.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.04%	68.84%	-52.80%

MDST vs. ERX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDST has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than ERX's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

MDST vs. ERX - Dividend Comparison

MDST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.20%, more than ERX's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares	1.49%	2.54%	2.94%	3.17%	2.23%	2.16%	2.35%	1.56%	3.10%	0.85%
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	9.20%	10.22%	6.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MDST and ERX in my portfolio?

MDST and ERX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MDST or ERX?

ERX has higher volatility (11.87%) compared to MDST (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDST dropped -14.19% vs ERX's -99.54%.

Which ETF is better, MDST or ERX?

On 1-year performance, ERX leads with 85.96% vs 20.59% for MDST. On fees, MDST is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, MDST has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MDST or ERX?

Over the 1-year period, ERX has performed better with a 85.96% return vs 20.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MDST or ERX?

MDST is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for ERX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MDST or ERX?

MDST has the higher dividend yield at 9.20%, compared with 1.49% for ERX.

What is the main difference between MDST and ERX?

They also come from different issuers: Westwood and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for MDST and 0.91% for ERX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ERX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.44), 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.