TMF vs. RSBA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TMF (Direxion Daily 20-Year Treasury Bull 3X) and RSBA (Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF) are both Leveraged Bonds funds. TMF is passively managed, while RSBA is actively managed. Over the past year, TMF returned 0.90% vs 4.65% for RSBA. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TMF charges 1.09%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for RSBA.

Performance

TMF vs. RSBA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily 20-Year Treasury Bull 3X (TMF) and Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF (RSBA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TMF achieves a -6.13% return, which is significantly lower than RSBA's -0.30% return.

TMF

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 1.22%
• YTD: -6.13%
• 6M: -11.63%
• 1Y: 0.90%
• 3Y*: -20.78%
• 5Y*: -30.52%
• 10Y*: -16.56%

RSBA

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: -0.30%
• 6M: -0.66%
• 1Y: 4.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TMF vs. RSBA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TMF Direxion Daily 20-Year Treasury Bull 3X	-6.13%	-2.94%	-6.68%
RSBA Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF	-0.30%	7.73%	-0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between TMF and RSBA is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2024	0.85

The correlation between TMF and RSBA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TMF vs. RSBA — Risk / Return Rank

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

TMF

TMF Risk / Return Rank: 9
TMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
TMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
TMF Omega Ratio Rank: 9
TMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
TMF Martin Ratio Rank: 9

RSBA

RSBA Risk / Return Rank: 30
RSBA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
RSBA Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
RSBA Omega Ratio Rank: 26
RSBA Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
RSBA Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. RSBA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily 20-Year Treasury Bull 3X (TMF) and Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF (RSBA). 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.

	TMF	RSBA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.03	1.02	-0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.25	1.52	-1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.18	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.03	1.70	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.08	4.70	-4.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TMF vs. RSBA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TMF Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the RSBA Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TMF and RSBA, 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

	TMF	RSBA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03	1.02	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.38	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.14	1.00	-1.13

Drawdowns

TMF vs. RSBA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TMF drawdown since its inception was -92.89%, which is greater than RSBA's maximum drawdown of -2.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMF and RSBA.

Drawdown Indicators

	TMF	RSBA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.89%	-2.83%	-90.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.51%	-2.74%	-23.77%
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	-92.23%	-1.62%	-90.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.63%	-0.81%	-42.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.49%	0.99%	+10.50%

Volatility

TMF vs. RSBA - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily 20-Year Treasury Bull 3X (TMF) has a higher volatility of 8.09% compared to Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF (RSBA) at 1.37%. This indicates that TMF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RSBA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TMF	RSBA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.09%	1.37%	+6.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.01%	3.27%	+15.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.76%	4.59%	+24.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.75%	5.08%	+41.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.92%	5.08%	+38.84%

TMF vs. RSBA - Expense Ratio Comparison

TMF has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is higher than RSBA's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

TMF vs. RSBA - Dividend Comparison

TMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.15%, more than RSBA's 3.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSBA Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF	3.38%	3.37%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TMF Direxion Daily 20-Year Treasury Bull 3X	4.15%	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 RSBA in my portfolio?

TMF and RSBA have a correlation of 0.85, 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 RSBA?

TMF has higher volatility (8.09%) compared to RSBA (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMF dropped -92.89% vs RSBA's -2.83%.

Which ETF is better, TMF or RSBA?

On 1-year performance, RSBA leads with 4.65% vs 0.90% for TMF. On fees, RSBA is cheaper at 0.96% per year. On volatility, RSBA has been the lower-risk option at 1.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TMF or RSBA?

Over the 1-year period, RSBA has performed better with a 4.65% return vs 0.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TMF or RSBA?

RSBA is cheaper with a 0.96% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for TMF.

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

TMF has the higher dividend yield at 4.15%, compared with 3.38% for RSBA.

What is the main difference between TMF and RSBA?

They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Return Stacked. Their fees differ too: 1.09% for TMF and 0.96% for RSBA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSBA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.02 vs 0.03), 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.