RND vs. ERX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

RND (First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF) and ERX (Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - RND is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg R&D Leaders Select Index, while ERX is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RND returned 17.39% vs 68.66% for ERX. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. RND charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for ERX.

Performance

RND vs. ERX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) and Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RND achieves a 5.28% return, which is significantly lower than ERX's 57.54% return.

RND

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: 1.01%
• 6M: 5.91%
• YTD: 5.28%
• 1Y: 17.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ERX

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: 6.94%
• 6M: 39.75%
• YTD: 57.54%
• 1Y: 68.66%
• 3Y*: 19.68%
• 5Y*: 34.10%
• 10Y*: -10.35%

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

RND vs. ERX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	5.28%	22.38%	26.88%
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares	57.54%	2.79%	-17.69%

Correlation

The correlation between RND and ERX is -0.23, 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	-0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2024	-0.01

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between RND and ERX has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.01 to -0.23, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

RND vs. ERX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RND	ERX
Technology	47.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	15.7%	-
Communication Services	13.4%	-
Healthcare	13.3%	-
Industrials	7.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.2%	-
Financial Services	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.9%	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RND vs. ERX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RND

RND Risk / Return Rank: 32
RND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
RND Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
RND Omega Ratio Rank: 33
RND Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
RND Martin Ratio Rank: 33

ERX

ERX Risk / Return Rank: 54
ERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
ERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ERX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
ERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
ERX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

RND vs. ERX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) and Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX). 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.

	RND	ERX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	1.64	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	2.12	-0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.26	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.12	2.30	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.92	5.95	-2.03

RND vs. ERX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RND Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the ERX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RND and ERX, 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

RND vs. ERX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RND drawdown since its inception was -23.52%, smaller than the maximum ERX drawdown of -99.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RND and ERX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RND	ERX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.52%	-99.54%	+76.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.56%	-29.97%	+14.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-42.34%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-46.90%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-98.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.94%	-92.05%	+90.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.68%	-67.18%	+63.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.45%	11.57%	-7.12%

Volatility

RND vs. ERX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) is 4.81%, while Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX) has a volatility of 12.31%. This indicates that RND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ERX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RND	ERX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.81%	12.31%	-7.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.12%	33.63%	-20.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.66%	42.09%	-25.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.09%	51.72%	-30.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.09%	68.92%	-47.83%

RND vs. ERX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RND has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than ERX's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

RND vs. ERX - Dividend Comparison

RND has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ERX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares	1.62%	2.54%	2.94%	3.17%	2.23%	2.16%	2.35%	1.56%	3.10%	0.85%
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RND and ERX in my portfolio?

RND and ERX 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, RND or ERX?

ERX has higher volatility (12.31%) compared to RND (4.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RND dropped -23.52% vs ERX's -99.54%.

Which ETF is better, RND or ERX?

On 1-year performance, ERX leads with 68.66% vs 17.39% for RND. On fees, RND is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, RND has been the lower-risk option at 4.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RND or ERX?

Over the 1-year period, ERX has performed better with a 68.66% return vs 17.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RND or ERX?

RND is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for ERX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RND or ERX?

ERX has the higher dividend yield at 1.62%, compared with 0.00% for RND.

What is the main difference between RND and ERX?

RND is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while ERX is Leveraged Equities. RND tracks Bloomberg R&D Leaders Select Index, while ERX tracks Energy Select Sector Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for RND and 1.09% for ERX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ERX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 1.05), 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.