QTJL vs. DFEN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTJL (Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July) and DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds. QTJL is actively managed, while DFEN is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QTJL returned 19.20%/yr vs 63.19%/yr for DFEN. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QTJL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for DFEN.

Performance

QTJL vs. DFEN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July (QTJL) 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, QTJL achieves a 7.15% return, which is significantly higher than DFEN's 2.17% return.

QTJL

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 7.15%
• 6M: 7.91%
• 1Y: 20.52%
• 3Y*: 19.20%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFEN

• 1D: -4.54%
• 1M: 12.97%
• YTD: 2.17%
• 6M: 21.41%
• 1Y: 59.57%
• 3Y*: 63.19%
• 5Y*: 26.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

QTJL vs. DFEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QTJL Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July	7.15%	21.07%	16.50%	42.39%	-30.16%	9.32%
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	2.17%	156.62%	27.07%	24.70%	6.99%	-23.25%

Correlation

The correlation between QTJL and DFEN is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2021	0.52

The correlation between QTJL and DFEN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.44 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTJL vs. DFEN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTJL	DFEN
Technology	54.2%	0.0%
Communication Services	15.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	-
Healthcare	4.2%	-
Industrials	2.8%	19.7%
Utilities	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Energy	0.6%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QTJL vs. DFEN — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTJL

QTJL Risk / Return Rank: 68
QTJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QTJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QTJL Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QTJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
QTJL Martin Ratio Rank: 81

DFEN

DFEN Risk / Return Rank: 27
DFEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
DFEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
DFEN Omega Ratio Rank: 27
DFEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
DFEN Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

QTJL vs. DFEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July (QTJL) 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.

	QTJL	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	0.95	+1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	1.59	+1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.19	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	1.43	+1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.23	3.44	+12.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTJL vs. DFEN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTJL Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is higher than the DFEN Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTJL 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QTJL	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	0.95	+1.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.21	+0.31

Drawdowns

QTJL vs. DFEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTJL drawdown since its inception was -33.40%, smaller than the maximum DFEN drawdown of -91.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTJL and DFEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTJL	DFEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.40%	-91.36%	+57.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.68%	-41.75%	+35.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.43%	-43.13%	+20.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-56.23%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	-33.04%	+33.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.94%	-45.27%	+37.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	17.36%	-16.09%

Volatility

QTJL vs. DFEN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July (QTJL) is 0.31%, while Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a volatility of 22.35%. This indicates that QTJL 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

	QTJL	DFEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.31%	22.35%	-22.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.61%	53.06%	-45.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.01%	63.21%	-53.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.42%	60.16%	-39.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.42%	71.48%	-51.06%

QTJL vs. DFEN - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTJL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than DFEN's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTJL vs. DFEN - Dividend Comparison

QTJL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFEN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.74%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	8.74%	8.89%	14.12%	1.13%	0.46%	1.89%	0.48%	0.50%	1.07%	1.50%
QTJL Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTJL and DFEN in my portfolio?

QTJL and DFEN have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTJL or DFEN?

DFEN has higher volatility (22.35%) compared to QTJL (0.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTJL dropped -33.40% vs DFEN's -91.36%.

Which ETF is better, QTJL or DFEN?

On 3-year performance, DFEN leads with 63.19% vs 19.20% for QTJL. On fees, QTJL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, QTJL has been the lower-risk option at 0.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTJL or DFEN?

Over the 3-year period, DFEN has performed better with a 63.19% return vs 19.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTJL or DFEN?

QTJL is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for DFEN.

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

DFEN has the higher dividend yield at 8.74%, compared with 0.00% for QTJL.

What is the main difference between QTJL and DFEN?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QTJL and 0.99% for DFEN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTJL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 0.95), 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.