MSFO vs. DFEN

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MSFO (YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF ) and DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - MSFO is a Options Trading fund actively managed by YieldMax, while DFEN is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). MSFO is actively managed, while DFEN is passively managed. Over the past year, MSFO returned -13.71% vs 75.01% for DFEN. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

MSFO vs. DFEN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF (MSFO) and Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSFO achieves a -16.15% return, which is significantly lower than DFEN's 13.12% return.

MSFO

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -5.33%
• YTD: -16.15%
• 6M: -15.35%
• 1Y: -13.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFEN

• 1D: -2.71%
• 1M: 9.77%
• YTD: 13.12%
• 6M: 20.44%
• 1Y: 75.01%
• 3Y*: 64.38%
• 5Y*: 29.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

MSFO vs. DFEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MSFO YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF	-16.15%	15.69%	10.34%	18.74%
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	13.12%	156.62%	27.07%	32.38%

Correlation

The correlation between MSFO and DFEN is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2023	0.23

Return for Risk

MSFO vs. DFEN — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSFO

MSFO Risk / Return Rank: 5
MSFO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
MSFO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
MSFO Omega Ratio Rank: 4
MSFO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
MSFO Martin Ratio Rank: 5

DFEN

DFEN Risk / Return Rank: 38
DFEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
DFEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
DFEN Omega Ratio Rank: 36
DFEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
DFEN Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

MSFO vs. DFEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF (MSFO) and Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN). 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.

	MSFO	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.64	1.18	-1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.75	1.85	-2.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.22	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.47	1.85	-2.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.02	4.29	-5.31

MSFO vs. DFEN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSFO Sharpe Ratio is -0.64, which is lower than the DFEN Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSFO and DFEN, 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

MSFO vs. DFEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSFO drawdown since its inception was -29.29%, smaller than the maximum DFEN drawdown of -91.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSFO and DFEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSFO	DFEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.29%	-91.36%	+62.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.29%	-41.75%	+12.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-43.13%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-55.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.17%	-25.87%	+2.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-45.20%	+38.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.60%	17.99%	-4.39%

Volatility

MSFO vs. DFEN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF (MSFO) is 8.81%, while Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a volatility of 27.31%. This indicates that MSFO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFEN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSFO	DFEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.81%	27.31%	-18.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.32%	55.81%	-36.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.81%	65.81%	-44.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.81%	60.74%	-40.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.81%	71.66%	-51.85%

MSFO vs. DFEN - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both MSFO and DFEN have an expense ratio of 0.99%.

Dividends

MSFO vs. DFEN - Dividend Comparison

MSFO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 44.05%, more than DFEN's 7.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	7.89%	8.89%	14.12%	1.13%	0.46%	1.89%	0.48%	0.50%	1.07%	1.50%
MSFO YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF	44.05%	33.91%	35.15%	6.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSFO and DFEN in my portfolio?

MSFO and DFEN have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSFO or DFEN?

DFEN has higher volatility (27.31%) compared to MSFO (8.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSFO dropped -29.29% vs DFEN's -91.36%.

Which ETF is better, MSFO or DFEN?

On 1-year performance, DFEN leads with 75.01% vs -13.71% for MSFO. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, MSFO has been the lower-risk option at 8.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MSFO or DFEN?

Over the 1-year period, DFEN has performed better with a 75.01% return vs -13.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MSFO or DFEN?

MSFO and DFEN have the same expense ratio: 0.99% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MSFO or DFEN?

MSFO has the higher dividend yield at 44.05%, compared with 7.89% for DFEN.

What is the main difference between MSFO and DFEN?

MSFO is categorized as Options Trading, while DFEN is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Direxion.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.18 vs -0.64), 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.