PLTD vs. FAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLTD (Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares) and FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLTD is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the Palantir Technologies Inc. (-100%), while FAI is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PLTD returned -22.19% vs 76.77% for FAI. At a correlation of -0.62, they often move in opposite directions. PLTD charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FAI.

Performance

PLTD vs. FAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares (PLTD) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLTD achieves a 13.23% return, which is significantly lower than FAI's 39.08% return.

PLTD

• 1D: 6.63%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 13.23%
• 6M: 11.78%
• 1Y: -22.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FAI

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: 21.45%
• YTD: 39.08%
• 6M: 37.64%
• 1Y: 76.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PLTD vs. FAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PLTD Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares	13.23%	-70.53%	-5.12%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	39.08%	33.37%	-4.02%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTD and FAI is -0.55, 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	-0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	-0.62

The correlation between PLTD and FAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.62 to -0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLTD vs. FAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTD

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

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 82
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FAI Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

PLTD vs. FAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares (PLTD) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). 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.

	PLTD	FAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.43	3.16	-3.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.34	3.74	-4.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.49	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.50	4.10	-4.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.74	13.35	-14.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLTD vs. FAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTD Sharpe Ratio is -0.43, which is lower than the FAI Sharpe Ratio of 3.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTD and FAI, 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

	PLTD	FAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.43	3.16	-3.59
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.86	1.76	-2.62

Drawdowns

PLTD vs. FAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTD drawdown since its inception was -77.34%, which is greater than FAI's maximum drawdown of -27.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTD and FAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTD	FAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.34%	-27.82%	-49.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-44.79%	-18.84%	-25.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-71.01%	-1.21%	-69.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-59.43%	-5.31%	-54.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	30.14%	5.77%	+24.37%

Volatility

PLTD vs. FAI - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares (PLTD) has a higher volatility of 18.68% compared to First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) at 8.24%. This indicates that PLTD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTD	FAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.68%	8.24%	+10.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.02%	19.31%	+18.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.79%	24.40%	+27.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	63.73%	29.89%	+33.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.73%	29.89%	+33.84%

PLTD vs. FAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTD has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than FAI's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTD vs. FAI - Dividend Comparison

PLTD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, while FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%
PLTD Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares	3.26%	5.17%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTD and FAI in my portfolio?

PLTD and FAI have a correlation of -0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLTD or FAI?

PLTD has higher volatility (18.68%) compared to FAI (8.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTD dropped -77.34% vs FAI's -27.82%.

Which ETF is better, PLTD or FAI?

On 1-year performance, FAI leads with 76.77% vs -22.19% for PLTD. On fees, FAI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FAI has been the lower-risk option at 8.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTD or FAI?

Over the 1-year period, FAI has performed better with a 76.77% return vs -22.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTD or FAI?

FAI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for PLTD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PLTD or FAI?

PLTD has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.

What is the main difference between PLTD and FAI?

PLTD is categorized as Inverse Equities, while FAI is Technology Equities. PLTD tracks Palantir Technologies Inc. (-100%), while FAI tracks Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.98% for PLTD and 0.65% for FAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.16 vs -0.43), 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.