PLTD vs. SEF

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

PLTD (Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares) and SEF (ProShares Short Financials) are both Inverse Equities funds - PLTD tracks the Palantir Technologies Inc. (-100%) while SEF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (-100%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PLTD returned -6.44% vs -5.36% for SEF. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLTD charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SEF.

Performance

PLTD vs. SEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares (PLTD) and ProShares Short Financials (SEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLTD achieves a 17.42% return, which is significantly higher than SEF's -2.09% return.

PLTD

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: -2.49%
• 6M: 17.60%
• YTD: 17.42%
• 1Y: -6.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SEF

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: -4.14%
• 6M: -3.05%
• YTD: -2.09%
• 1Y: -5.36%
• 3Y*: -12.03%
• 5Y*: -7.58%
• 10Y*: -12.30%

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

PLTD vs. SEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PLTD Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares	17.42%	-70.53%	-5.12%
SEF ProShares Short Financials	-2.09%	-9.82%	2.68%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTD and SEF is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.32

Return for Risk

PLTD vs. SEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTD

PLTD Risk / Return Rank: 9
PLTD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PLTD Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
PLTD Omega Ratio Rank: 10
PLTD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
PLTD Martin Ratio Rank: 7

SEF

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

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. SEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares (PLTD) and ProShares Short Financials (SEF). 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.

	PLTD	SEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.13	-0.37	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.19	-0.45	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	0.95	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.21	-0.36	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.41	-0.95	+0.54

PLTD vs. SEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTD Sharpe Ratio is -0.13, which is higher than the SEF Sharpe Ratio of -0.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTD and SEF, 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

PLTD vs. SEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTD drawdown since its inception was -77.34%, smaller than the maximum SEF drawdown of -96.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTD and SEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTD	SEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.34%	-96.51%	+19.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.31%	-14.82%	-15.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-39.40%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-41.62%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-73.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-69.93%	-96.48%	+26.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-59.90%	-82.78%	+22.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.80%	5.65%	+10.15%

Volatility

PLTD vs. SEF - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares (PLTD) has a higher volatility of 15.87% compared to ProShares Short Financials (SEF) at 4.21%. This indicates that PLTD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTD	SEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.87%	4.21%	+11.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.29%	11.14%	+28.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.51%	14.52%	+36.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	62.84%	17.97%	+44.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	62.84%	20.44%	+42.40%

PLTD vs. SEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTD has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than SEF's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTD vs. SEF - Dividend Comparison

PLTD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, less than SEF's 3.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PLTD Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares	2.99%	5.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SEF ProShares Short Financials	3.43%	4.33%	5.72%	4.43%	0.39%	0.00%	0.12%	1.25%	0.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTD and SEF in my portfolio?

PLTD and SEF have a correlation of 0.23, 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 SEF?

PLTD has higher volatility (15.87%) compared to SEF (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTD dropped -77.34% vs SEF's -96.51%.

Which ETF is better, PLTD or SEF?

On 1-year performance, SEF leads with -5.36% vs -6.44% for PLTD. On fees, SEF is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, SEF has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTD or SEF?

Over the 1-year period, SEF has performed better with a -5.36% return vs -6.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTD or SEF?

SEF is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for PLTD.

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

SEF has the higher dividend yield at 3.43%, compared with 2.99% for PLTD.

What is the main difference between PLTD and SEF?

PLTD tracks Palantir Technologies Inc. (-100%), while SEF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (-100%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.98% for PLTD and 0.95% for SEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLTD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.13 vs -0.37), 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.