VSTL vs. BEX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VSTL (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF) and BEX (Tradr 2X Long BE Daily ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Their 0.61 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VSTL charges 1.29%/yr vs 1.30%/yr for BEX.

Performance

VSTL vs. BEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) and Tradr 2X Long BE Daily ETF (BEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VSTL

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -6.33%
• 6M: -28.91%
• YTD: -35.33%
• 1Y: -66.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -58.65%

BEX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: -51.56%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BEX Tradr 2X Long BE Daily ETF	$83.57M	$80.37M	$68.34M
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	$651.64K	$708.80K	$1.90M

VSTL vs. BEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	-16.55%
BEX Tradr 2X Long BE Daily ETF	-69.85%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTL and BEX is 0.61, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2026	0.61

Return for Risk

VSTL vs. BEX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VSTL

VSTL Risk / Return Rank: 3
VSTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
VSTL Martin Ratio Rank: 1

BEX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VSTL vs. BEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) and Tradr 2X Long BE Daily ETF (BEX). 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.

	VSTL	BEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.69	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.87	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.94	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	—	—

Drawdowns

VSTL vs. BEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTL drawdown since its inception was -71.42%, smaller than the maximum BEX drawdown of -82.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTL and BEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTL	BEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.42%	-82.16%	+10.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-71.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-68.28%	-72.82%	+4.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.67%	-41.43%	-2.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	48.96%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VSTL	BEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.95%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	68.40%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	97.01%	264.69%	-167.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	97.03%	264.69%	-167.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	97.03%	264.69%	-167.66%

VSTL vs. BEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTL has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is lower than BEX's 1.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSTL vs. BEX - Dividend Comparison

Neither VSTL nor BEX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTL and BEX in my portfolio?

VSTL and BEX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VSTL or BEX?

On fees, VSTL is cheaper at 1.29% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSTL or BEX?

VSTL is cheaper with a 1.29% expense ratio, compared with 1.30% for BEX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VSTL or BEX?

VSTL and BEX have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between VSTL and BEX?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Tradr. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for VSTL and 1.30% for BEX.