SOXL vs. DFEN
Compare and contrast key facts about Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL) and Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN).
SOXL and DFEN are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SOXL is a passively managed fund by Direxion that tracks the performance of the PHLX Semiconductor Index (300%). It was launched on Mar 11, 2010. DFEN is a passively managed fund by Direxion that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). It was launched on May 3, 2017. Both SOXL and DFEN are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
SOXL vs. DFEN - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
SOXL vs. DFEN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares | 24.34% | 54.91% | -12.31% | 226.98% | -85.66% | 118.84% | 70.04% | 231.83% | -39.07% | 79.29% |
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 5.76% | 156.62% | 27.07% | 24.70% | 6.99% | 12.72% | -70.23% | 95.09% | -32.86% | 83.64% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SOXL achieves a 24.34% return, which is significantly higher than DFEN's 5.76% return.
SOXL
- 1D
- 9.08%
- 1M
- -16.73%
- YTD
- 24.34%
- 6M
- 41.78%
- 1Y
- 228.78%
- 3Y*
- 42.83%
- 5Y*
- 4.90%
- 10Y*
- 41.10%
DFEN
- 1D
- 7.00%
- 1M
- -30.69%
- YTD
- 5.76%
- 6M
- 8.27%
- 1Y
- 138.06%
- 3Y*
- 59.94%
- 5Y*
- 32.31%
- 10Y*
- —
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
SOXL vs. DFEN - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both SOXL and DFEN have an expense ratio of 0.99%.
Return for Risk
SOXL vs. DFEN — Risk / Return Rank
SOXL
DFEN
SOXL vs. DFEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL) 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.
| SOXL | DFEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.93 | 1.98 | -0.05 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.46 | 2.37 | +0.09 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.33 | +0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.64 | 3.43 | +1.22 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.09 | 11.60 | +2.50 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SOXL | DFEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.93 | 1.98 | -0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.05 | 0.55 | -0.50 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.42 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.36 | 0.22 | +0.14 |
Correlation
The correlation between SOXL and DFEN is 0.47, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
SOXL vs. DFEN - Dividend Comparison
SOXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%, less than DFEN's 8.44% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares | 0.15% | 0.34% | 1.18% | 0.51% | 1.07% | 0.04% | 0.05% | 0.38% | 1.30% | 0.09% | 4.84% |
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 8.44% | 8.89% | 14.12% | 1.13% | 0.46% | 1.89% | 0.48% | 0.50% | 1.07% | 1.50% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
SOXL vs. DFEN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SOXL drawdown since its inception was -90.46%, roughly equal to the maximum DFEN drawdown of -91.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXL and DFEN.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| SOXL | DFEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -90.46% | -91.36% | +0.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -49.26% | -41.75% | -7.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -90.46% | -56.23% | -34.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -90.46% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -27.28% | -30.69% | +3.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -35.34% | -45.53% | +10.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.23% | 12.33% | +3.90% |
Volatility
SOXL vs. DFEN - Volatility Comparison
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL) has a higher volatility of 38.35% compared to Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) at 24.88%. This indicates that SOXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFEN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| SOXL | DFEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 38.35% | 24.88% | +13.47% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 79.93% | 48.34% | +31.59% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 119.50% | 70.19% | +49.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 105.40% | 59.08% | +46.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 97.72% | 71.34% | +26.38% |