URA vs. DFEN

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

URA (Global X Uranium ETF) and DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - URA is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index, while DFEN is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, URA returned 18.77%/yr vs 29.22%/yr for DFEN. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URA charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for DFEN.

Performance

URA vs. DFEN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Uranium ETF (URA) 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, URA achieves a 6.53% return, which is significantly lower than DFEN's 13.12% return.

URA

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -14.61%
• YTD: 6.53%
• 6M: 3.57%
• 1Y: 32.44%
• 3Y*: 32.17%
• 5Y*: 18.77%
• 10Y*: 15.90%

DFEN

• 1D: -2.71%
• 1M: 7.74%
• YTD: 13.12%
• 6M: 20.44%
• 1Y: 76.99%
• 3Y*: 64.38%
• 5Y*: 29.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

URA vs. DFEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URA Global X Uranium ETF	6.53%	67.18%	-0.58%	46.25%	-11.32%	57.57%	41.33%	-3.54%	-22.11%	15.50%
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	13.12%	156.62%	27.07%	24.70%	6.99%	12.72%	-70.23%	95.09%	-32.86%	83.64%

Correlation

The correlation between URA and DFEN is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017	0.44

URA vs. DFEN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URA	DFEN
Energy	58.2%	-
Industrials	20.9%	19.7%
Utilities	9.2%	-
Basic Materials	5.0%	-
Technology	0.9%	0.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

URA vs. DFEN — Risk / Return Rank

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

URA

URA Risk / Return Rank: 23
URA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
URA Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
URA Omega Ratio Rank: 23
URA Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
URA Martin Ratio Rank: 21

DFEN

DFEN Risk / Return Rank: 38
DFEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
DFEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
DFEN Omega Ratio Rank: 36
DFEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
DFEN Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

URA vs. DFEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Uranium ETF (URA) 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.

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.

	URA	DFEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	1.18	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.21	1.85	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.22	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	1.85	-0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.30	4.29	-1.99

URA vs. DFEN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URA Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the DFEN Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URA 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.

Drawdowns

URA vs. DFEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URA drawdown since its inception was -93.54%, roughly equal to the maximum DFEN drawdown of -91.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URA and DFEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	URA	DFEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.54%	-91.36%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.48%	-41.75%	+10.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.81%	-43.13%	+5.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.90%	-55.30%	+17.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-48.34%	-25.87%	-22.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-74.94%	-45.20%	-29.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.12%	17.99%	-3.87%

Volatility

URA vs. DFEN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Uranium ETF (URA) is 17.69%, while Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a volatility of 27.31%. This indicates that URA 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

	URA	DFEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.69%	27.31%	-9.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.95%	55.81%	-15.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.24%	65.81%	-14.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.96%	60.74%	-16.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.91%	71.66%	-33.75%

URA vs. DFEN - Expense Ratio Comparison

URA has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than DFEN's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

URA vs. DFEN - Dividend Comparison

URA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, less than DFEN's 7.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	7.89%	8.89%	14.12%	1.13%	0.46%	1.89%	0.48%	0.50%	1.07%	1.50%	0.00%	0.00%
URA Global X Uranium ETF	4.58%	4.88%	2.86%	6.07%	0.76%	5.84%	1.69%	1.66%	0.44%	2.03%	7.28%	1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URA and DFEN in my portfolio?

URA and DFEN have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URA or DFEN?

DFEN has higher volatility (27.31%) compared to URA (17.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URA dropped -93.54% vs DFEN's -91.36%.

Which ETF is better, URA or DFEN?

On 5-year performance, DFEN leads with 29.22% vs 18.77% for URA. On fees, URA is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, URA has been the lower-risk option at 17.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URA or DFEN?

Over the 5-year period, DFEN has performed better with a 29.22% return vs 18.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URA or DFEN?

URA is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for DFEN.

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

DFEN has the higher dividend yield at 7.89%, compared with 4.58% for URA.

What is the main difference between URA and DFEN?

URA is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while DFEN is Leveraged Equities. URA tracks Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index, while DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: Global X and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for URA and 0.99% for DFEN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.18 vs 0.64), 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.