TMF vs. BNKU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

TMF (Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF) and BNKU (MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs) are both exchange-traded funds - TMF is a Leveraged Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index (300%), while BNKU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, TMF returned -4.90% vs 111.56% for BNKU. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TMF charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BNKU.

Performance

TMF vs. BNKU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs (BNKU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TMF achieves a -5.18% return, which is significantly lower than BNKU's 14.86% return.

TMF

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 3.29%
• YTD: -5.18%
• 6M: -5.04%
• 1Y: -4.90%
• 3Y*: -19.82%
• 5Y*: -31.10%
• 10Y*: -16.87%

BNKU

• 1D: 5.30%
• 1M: 29.28%
• YTD: 14.86%
• 6M: 15.82%
• 1Y: 111.56%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TMF vs. BNKU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TMF Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF	-5.18%	-4.80%
BNKU MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs	14.86%	34.97%

Correlation

The correlation between TMF and BNKU is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2025	0.04

TMF vs. BNKU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TMF	BNKU
Financial Services	18.4%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TMF vs. BNKU — Risk / Return Rank

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

TMF

TMF Risk / Return Rank: 8
TMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
TMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
TMF Omega Ratio Rank: 8
TMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
TMF Martin Ratio Rank: 8

BNKU

BNKU Risk / Return Rank: 58
BNKU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
BNKU Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
BNKU Omega Ratio Rank: 55
BNKU Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
BNKU Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

TMF vs. BNKU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs (BNKU). 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.

	TMF	BNKU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.17	1.94	-2.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.05	2.30	-2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.30	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.19	2.74	-2.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.41	7.20	-7.61

TMF vs. BNKU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TMF Sharpe Ratio is -0.17, which is lower than the BNKU Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TMF and BNKU, 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

TMF vs. BNKU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TMF drawdown since its inception was -92.89%, which is greater than BNKU's maximum drawdown of -61.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMF and BNKU.

Drawdown Indicators

	TMF	BNKU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.89%	-61.21%	-31.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.51%	-40.97%	+14.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.31%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-88.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-92.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-92.15%	-2.63%	-89.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.70%	-18.05%	-25.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.96%	15.55%	-3.59%

Volatility

TMF vs. BNKU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) is 8.43%, while MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs (BNKU) has a volatility of 15.55%. This indicates that TMF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BNKU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TMF	BNKU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.43%	15.55%	-7.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.46%	45.72%	-26.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.49%	57.72%	-29.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.72%	73.10%	-26.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.92%	73.10%	-29.18%

TMF vs. BNKU - Expense Ratio Comparison

TMF has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than BNKU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

TMF vs. BNKU - Dividend Comparison

TMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.11%, while BNKU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BNKU MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TMF Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF	4.11%	4.06%	4.29%	2.82%	1.62%	0.13%	2.23%	0.94%	1.49%	0.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TMF and BNKU in my portfolio?

TMF and BNKU have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TMF or BNKU?

BNKU has higher volatility (15.55%) compared to TMF (8.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMF dropped -92.89% vs BNKU's -61.21%.

Which ETF is better, TMF or BNKU?

On 1-year performance, BNKU leads with 111.56% vs -4.90% for TMF. On fees, BNKU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, TMF has been the lower-risk option at 8.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TMF or BNKU?

Over the 1-year period, BNKU has performed better with a 111.56% return vs -4.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TMF or BNKU?

BNKU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for TMF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TMF or BNKU?

TMF has the higher dividend yield at 4.11%, compared with 0.00% for BNKU.

What is the main difference between TMF and BNKU?

TMF is categorized as Leveraged Bonds, while BNKU is Leveraged Equities. TMF tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index (300%), while BNKU tracks Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Bank of Montreal. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for TMF and 0.95% for BNKU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BNKU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs -0.17), 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.