NFXL vs. IFED

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NFXL (Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares) and IFED (ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds. NFXL is actively managed, while IFED is passively managed. Over the past year, NFXL returned -64.17% vs 1.97% for IFED. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NFXL charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for IFED.

Performance

NFXL vs. IFED - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares (NFXL) 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, NFXL achieves a -31.65% return, which is significantly lower than IFED's -3.52% return.

NFXL

• 1D: -4.28%
• 1M: -20.99%
• YTD: -31.65%
• 6M: -45.39%
• 1Y: -64.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IFED

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 4.85%
• YTD: -3.52%
• 6M: -3.51%
• 1Y: 1.97%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NFXL vs. IFED - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NFXL Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares	-31.65%	-11.98%	50.97%
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	-3.52%	15.02%	5.30%

Correlation

The correlation between NFXL and IFED is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2024	0.36

The correlation between NFXL and IFED shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (1 year) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NFXL vs. IFED — Risk / Return Rank

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

NFXL

NFXL Risk / Return Rank: 1
NFXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
NFXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
NFXL Omega Ratio Rank: 1
NFXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
NFXL Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

NFXL vs. IFED - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares (NFXL) 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.

	NFXL	IFED	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.97	0.12	-1.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.62	0.29	-1.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.80	1.04	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.89	0.14	-1.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.39	0.34	-1.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NFXL vs. IFED - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFXL Sharpe Ratio is -0.97, which is lower than the IFED Sharpe Ratio of 0.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFXL 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NFXL	IFED	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.97	0.12	-1.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.65	-0.73

Drawdowns

NFXL vs. IFED - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFXL drawdown since its inception was -71.97%, which is greater than IFED's maximum drawdown of -22.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFXL and IFED.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFXL	IFED	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.97%	-22.36%	-49.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-71.97%	-14.65%	-57.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-70.02%	-5.50%	-64.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.07%	-5.84%	-22.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	46.07%	5.75%	+40.32%

Volatility

NFXL vs. IFED - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares (NFXL) has a higher volatility of 14.37% compared to ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) at 4.50%. This indicates that NFXL'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

	NFXL	IFED	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.37%	4.50%	+9.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	51.09%	12.86%	+38.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	66.34%	16.21%	+50.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	69.51%	19.88%	+49.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	69.51%	19.88%	+49.63%

NFXL vs. IFED - Expense Ratio Comparison

NFXL has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than IFED's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

NFXL vs. IFED - Dividend Comparison

NFXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.67%, while IFED has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NFXL Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares	11.67%	7.97%	0.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NFXL and IFED in my portfolio?

NFXL and IFED have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NFXL or IFED?

NFXL has higher volatility (14.37%) compared to IFED (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFXL dropped -71.97% vs IFED's -22.36%.

Which ETF is better, NFXL or IFED?

On 1-year performance, IFED leads with 1.97% vs -64.17% for NFXL. On fees, IFED is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, IFED has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NFXL or IFED?

Over the 1-year period, IFED has performed better with a 1.97% return vs -64.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NFXL or IFED?

IFED is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for NFXL.

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

NFXL has the higher dividend yield at 11.67%, compared with 0.00% for IFED.

What is the main difference between NFXL and IFED?

They also come from different issuers: Direxion and UBS. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for NFXL and 0.45% for IFED.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IFED currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.12 vs -0.97), 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.