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DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X ETF

Aims to return three times the daily move of iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA)Direxion0.96% fee$288mSince May 3, 2017SEC filings ↗
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Three months to Oct 2, 2026: DFEN returned −44.7% where its own daily promise gave −43.1%, 1.6 points short.

−16.2%
What ITA did
−43.1%
What 3 times a day gives
−44.7%
What the fund returned
−1.6 pts
The fund itself cost
What it aimed at, and what it did
On its stated multipleDFEN returned −20.6% while 3 times ITA's move would have been −20.6%ITA −6.9% ×3 implies−20.6%DFEN returned−20.6%On its stated multipleDFEN returned −20.6% while 3 times ITA's move would have been −20.6%ITA −6.9% ×3 implies−20.6%DFEN returned−20.6%

Over the 1 month to Oct 2, 2026, DFEN returned −20.6%, where 3 times that move implies −20.6%. The difference is 0.0 pts.

3.9 pts ahead of its stated multipleDFEN returned −44.7% while 3 times ITA's move would have been −48.5%ITA −16.2% ×3 implies−48.5%DFEN returned−44.7%3.9 pts ahead of its stated multipleDFEN returned −44.7% while 3 times ITA's move would have been −48.5%ITA −16.2% ×3 implies−48.5%DFEN returned−44.7%

Over the 3 months to Oct 2, 2026, DFEN returned −44.7%, where 3 times that move implies −48.5%. The difference is +3.9 pts.

9.3 pts short of its stated multipleDFEN returned −27.9% while 3 times ITA's move would have been −18.6%ITA −6.2% ×3 implies−18.6%DFEN returned−27.9%9.3 pts short of its stated multipleDFEN returned −27.9% while 3 times ITA's move would have been −18.6%ITA −6.2% ×3 implies−18.6%DFEN returned−27.9%

Over the 6 months to Oct 2, 2026, DFEN returned −27.9%, where 3 times that move implies −18.6%. The difference is −9.3 pts.

22.6 pts short of its stated multipleDFEN returned −24.1% while 3 times ITA's move would have been −1.5%ITA −0.5% ×3 implies−1.5%DFEN returned−24.1%22.6 pts short of its stated multipleDFEN returned −24.1% while 3 times ITA's move would have been −1.5%ITA −0.5% ×3 implies−1.5%DFEN returned−24.1%

Over the 1 year to Oct 2, 2026, DFEN returned −24.1%, where 3 times that move implies −1.5%. The difference is −22.6 pts.

ETFIQ Decay Resistance Score
83.7joint 76th of 470

DFEN finished 1.6 points short of what +3 times ITA’s daily move would have given, compounded through the same days.

points against its own daily promise, compounded−1.6 pts · 84th pct
All 470 ranked by this score →How it is computed →

Did it keep up with its own daily multiple, compounded day by day?

Points against its own daily promise, compounded
BMNG −19.3 ptsBMNU −19.3 ptsMRNX −18.1 ptsSMCX −15.6 ptsMSTX −14.9 ptsSMCC −14.7 ptsMSTU −13.9 ptsMSTP −11.7 ptsSMCL −11.2 ptsSBTU −10.9 ptsPOEL −10.4 ptsXOVL −10.1 ptsGMEU −9.5 ptsETHT −9.4 ptsINFH −9.4 ptsONDL −9.4 ptsGDXU −9.2 ptsLITU −9.0 ptsAXTU −8.8 ptsMSTC −8.8 ptsEUVX −8.4 ptsIRE −8.4 ptsSOLT −8.2 ptsXXRP −8.1 ptsKORU −7.8 ptsUMAL −7.8 ptsSLON −7.7 ptsSOUX −7.7 ptsAXTX −7.5 ptsBLSG −7.5 ptsEVMU −7.5 ptsHPEL −7.5 ptsSPYU −7.5 ptsCRWL −7.3 ptsAXTL −7.1 ptsDJTU −7.1 ptsAMPU −7.0 ptsDRAL −6.8 ptsPLTA −6.8 ptsAEHG −6.7 ptsNETG −6.7 ptsRGTX −6.7 ptsGEMG −6.6 ptsOKTG −6.6 ptsPLTG −6.6 ptsRDWU −6.4 ptsANEL −6.3 ptsETU −6.2 ptsCRCA −6.0 ptsCRCG −6.0 ptsFOMG −6.0 ptsMUU −6.0 ptsBITU −5.9 ptsFUTG −5.9 ptsLITX −5.9 ptsCRMG −5.8 ptsIONX −5.8 ptsMULL −5.8 ptsNOWL −5.8 ptsRIOX −5.8 ptsBIB −5.7 ptsCOIG −5.7 ptsOSCX −5.7 ptsSMTG −5.6 ptsSOXL −5.6 ptsETHU −5.5 ptsKEYG −5.5 ptsSNDC −5.5 ptsUPLT −5.5 ptsVELL −5.5 ptsKEEX −5.4 ptsLUNL −5.4 ptsBTCL −5.3 ptsFNGU −5.3 ptsPLTL −5.3 ptsMVLL −5.2 ptsUXRP −5.2 ptsAMDL −5.1 ptsXAGI −5.1 ptsCCUP −5.0 ptsFBX −5.0 ptsQUBX −5.0 ptsSNDU −5.0 ptsTERG −5.0 ptsUMCX −5.0 ptsBTCU −4.8 ptsCOIA −4.8 ptsLNOK −4.8 ptsMSFC −4.8 ptsONTX −4.8 ptsPYPG −4.8 ptsSHNY −4.8 ptsNAIL −4.7 ptsTSEG −4.7 ptsFIGG −4.6 ptsKEYX −4.6 ptsRAM −4.6 ptsTSMU −4.6 ptsAAOG −4.5 ptsDUOG −4.5 ptsSPCU −4.5 ptsTELG −4.5 ptsBEC −4.4 ptsCONL −4.4 ptsCRWG −4.4 ptsSOFX −4.4 ptsSTXL −4.4 ptsAMUU −4.3 ptsHIMZ −4.3 ptsNVDX −4.3 ptsPTIR −4.3 ptsUCOP −4.3 ptsADBG −4.2 ptsBITX −4.2 ptsFDRX −4.2 ptsONDG −4.2 ptsQSU −4.2 ptsUPAL −4.2 ptsPDDL −4.1 ptsUNX −4.1 ptsFCXG −4.0 ptsGMEC −4.0 ptsHOOX −4.0 ptsMSFX −4.0 ptsNBIG −4.0 ptsPYPU −4.0 ptsXRPT −4.0 ptsXTAI −4.0 ptsACLZ −3.9 ptsCLSX −3.9 ptsIREX −3.9 ptsNVTX −3.9 ptsPANG −3.9 ptsPATX −3.9 ptsSHPU −3.9 ptsSPCF −3.9 ptsXLEX −3.9 ptsADIU −3.8 ptsAFRU −3.8 ptsAMDG −3.8 ptsBAIG −3.8 ptsBEG −3.8 ptsDLLL −3.8 ptsNEBX −3.8 ptsRCAX −3.8 ptsROBN −3.8 ptsVALG −3.8 ptsVSTL −3.8 ptsCONX −3.7 ptsECHX −3.7 ptsFBL −3.7 ptsHOOG −3.7 ptsMSFL −3.7 ptsONDU −3.7 ptsPLTU −3.7 ptsTSMG −3.7 ptsAMA −3.6 ptsASMG −3.6 ptsCWVX −3.6 ptsMETU −3.6 ptsSPCH −3.6 ptsAAOX −3.5 ptsACHX −3.5 ptsAPHG −3.5 ptsBRZX −3.5 ptsCDNG −3.5 ptsCOIX −3.5 ptsENTL −3.5 ptsINTW −3.5 ptsIONL −3.5 ptsARMG −3.4 ptsAVXX −3.4 ptsFGRU −3.4 ptsLOFF −3.4 ptsNBIL −3.4 ptsNEMG −3.4 ptsSMU −3.4 ptsAAPX −3.3 ptsADBU −3.3 ptsAMKL −3.3 ptsAVGU −3.3 ptsIOSX −3.3 ptsKBAB −3.3 ptsKMLI −3.3 ptsNVC −3.3 ptsPONX −3.3 ptsRKLX −3.3 ptsTSMX −3.3 ptsXLKX −3.3 ptsARCX −3.2 ptsCOHH −3.2 ptsFPSX −3.2 ptsKTUP −3.2 ptsMSFU −3.2 ptsOKLL −3.2 ptsOSSL −3.2 ptsQCMU −3.2 ptsTEMT −3.2 ptsXIWC −3.2 ptsAMAA −3.1 ptsGLGG −3.1 ptsHIBL −3.1 ptsHUTG −3.1 ptsKJD −3.1 ptsTECL −3.1 ptsTSEU −3.1 ptsUNHG −3.1 ptsAMAU −3.0 ptsASTG −3.0 ptsBABU −3.0 ptsCRWU −3.0 ptsHODU −3.0 ptsHONG −3.0 ptsKRWX −3.0 ptsMPWX −3.0 ptsMSIX −3.0 ptsNVDL −3.0 ptsPALU −3.0 ptsSPAX −3.0 ptsSTXU −3.0 ptsTQQQ −3.0 ptsXW −3.0 ptsASMZ −2.9 ptsAVGG −2.9 ptsCIFU −2.9 ptsCSCL −2.9 ptsGLXU −2.9 ptsIONC −2.9 ptsIREG −2.9 ptsMCHG −2.9 ptsNVDG −2.9 ptsNVDU −2.9 ptsORCU −2.9 ptsORCX −2.9 ptsQCML −2.9 ptsTXNU −2.9 ptsXEUR −2.9 ptsXOMX −2.9 ptsASTY −2.8 ptsAVGC −2.8 ptsCCPX −2.8 ptsCIEG −2.8 ptsSNOU −2.8 ptsSNXX −2.8 ptsTSLT −2.8 ptsTWSC −2.8 ptsUPRO −2.8 ptsURAA −2.8 ptsUSLV −2.8 ptsYINN −2.8 ptsBABX −2.7 ptsCARX −2.7 ptsEDC −2.7 ptsMRAL −2.7 ptsNUG −2.7 ptsNVOX −2.7 ptsPLUL −2.7 ptsRGTU −2.7 ptsSPXL −2.7 ptsXKRE −2.7 ptsXYZG −2.7 ptsASMU −2.6 ptsCIFG −2.6 ptsCOPZ −2.6 ptsCOTG −2.6 ptsCOZX −2.6 ptsGOU −2.6 ptsKPDD −2.6 ptsLULG −2.6 ptsSIMX −2.6 ptsSNAG −2.6 ptsTAJX −2.6 ptsWYFL −2.6 ptsAPLX −2.5 ptsAVGX −2.5 ptsLLYX −2.5 ptsLRNX −2.5 ptsMNSX −2.5 ptsMRVU −2.5 ptsPBRG −2.5 ptsPLU −2.5 ptsSPOG −2.5 ptsWEBL −2.5 ptsEMXX −2.4 ptsGLX −2.4 ptsNFLU −2.4 ptsNXPG −2.4 ptsRTXG −2.4 ptsSMUP −2.4 ptsSOFA −2.4 ptsTESC −2.4 ptsUDOW −2.4 ptsUSX −2.4 ptsVRTL −2.4 ptsWULX −2.4 ptsXHOA −2.4 ptsAMZU −2.3 ptsAPHU −2.3 ptsCEGX −2.3 ptsCSEX −2.3 ptsCURE −2.3 ptsFAS −2.3 ptsTSLL −2.3 ptsUGLD −2.3 ptsUUUG −2.3 ptsWX −2.3 ptsXBIX −2.3 ptsXLIX −2.3 ptsXLYX −2.3 ptsAAPB −2.2 ptsAAPU −2.2 ptsAVL −2.2 ptsBEX −2.2 ptsCBRG −2.2 ptsCRMU −2.2 ptsEURL −2.2 ptsFLYT −2.2 ptsGLWG −2.2 ptsLINT −2.2 ptsMEXX −2.2 ptsMIDU −2.2 ptsMPG −2.2 ptsMTSG −2.2 ptsTYD −2.2 ptsUECG −2.2 ptsWEBX −2.2 ptsAMDC −2.1 ptsARMA −2.1 ptsASUP −2.1 ptsDPST −2.1 ptsDUSL −2.1 ptsGOOX −2.1 ptsGUSH −2.1 ptsJOBX −2.1 ptsORAC −2.1 ptsRMBX −2.1 ptsRVNL −2.1 ptsTMF −2.1 ptsURTY −2.1 ptsXLPX −2.1 ptsDIG −2.0 ptsERX −2.0 ptsFNG −2.0 ptsQBTX −2.0 ptsSKYU −2.0 ptsSPAL −2.0 ptsTNA −2.0 ptsTSLG −2.0 ptsUMDD −2.0 ptsUSGG −2.0 ptsWANT −2.0 ptsXLBX −2.0 ptsXLFX −2.0 ptsAMZZ −1.9 ptsASTX −1.9 ptsBOEG −1.9 ptsCATG −1.9 ptsCRMX −1.9 ptsGGLL −1.9 ptsGOGL −1.9 ptsLABU −1.9 ptsLMTL −1.9 ptsLTL −1.9 ptsRDTL −1.9 ptsUPSX −1.9 ptsALBG −1.8 ptsCOHX −1.8 ptsGEVG −1.8 ptsLRCU −1.8 ptsNFXL −1.8 ptsOPEX −1.8 ptsROM −1.8 ptsTTDU −1.8 ptsUTSL −1.8 ptsXLVX −1.8 ptsGFSG −1.7 ptsISUL −1.7 ptsJNUG −1.7 ptsLEUX −1.7 ptsRETL −1.7 ptsTPOR −1.7 ptsTSLR −1.7 ptsTTMX −1.7 ptsUBR −1.7 ptsUNHU −1.7 ptsUVIX −1.7 ptsCRUC −1.6 ptsEFO −1.6 ptsMCHU −1.6 ptsNUGT −1.6 ptsONX −1.6 ptsQLD −1.6 ptsRBLU −1.6 ptsRXL −1.6 ptsSPCM −1.6 ptsSTXX −1.6 ptsTPLX −1.6 ptsUBRL −1.6 ptsUSAX −1.6 ptsWDCX −1.6 ptsXLUX −1.6 ptsXPEG −1.6 ptsAGQ −1.5 ptsBRZU −1.5 ptsCBRX −1.5 ptsGRAG −1.5 ptsKLAG −1.5 ptsRKX −1.5 ptsSSO −1.5 ptsUCC −1.5 ptsUPV −1.5 ptsAALG −1.4 ptsBIDG −1.4 ptsBOEU −1.4 ptsEOSU −1.4 ptsNIOG −1.4 ptsSNDG −1.4 ptsCPNX −1.3 ptsCRDU −1.3 ptsDDM −1.3 ptsDRN −1.3 ptsELIL −1.3 ptsEZJ −1.3 ptsMIC −1.3 ptsPILL −1.3 ptsUYG −1.3 ptsXPP −1.3 ptsIBX −1.2 ptsINDL −1.2 ptsKBDU −1.2 ptsOPEG −1.2 ptsUBT −1.2 ptsUPW −1.2 ptsUWM −1.2 ptsCWEB −1.1 ptsFNGG −1.1 ptsGEVX −1.1 ptsMVV −1.1 ptsSAA −1.1 ptsSPUU −1.1 ptsUXI −1.1 ptsASTT −1.0 ptsUGE −1.0 ptsUGL −1.0 ptsFNGO −0.9 ptsNXPX −0.9 ptsUCTX −0.9 ptsUST −0.9 ptsCIEX −0.8 ptsCPXR −0.8 ptsEET −0.8 ptsLABX −0.8 ptsTSL −0.8 ptsACMM −0.7 ptsAPPX −0.7 ptsUYM −0.7 ptsCAMC −0.6 ptsCIFC −0.6 ptsTEUP −0.6 ptsCHAU −0.5 ptsEO −0.5 ptsURE −0.5 ptsXNDX −0.5 ptsAPPC −0.4 ptsUCO −0.2 ptsLASC +0.4 ptsRMBC +0.6 ptsXCOM +3.4 ptsLMNX +11.0 ptsDFEN −1.6 ptsDFEN −1.6 pts−19.3 pts+11.0 pts
−19.3 pts to +11.0 pts across 470

That is the share of the 470 leveraged ETFs, long, over three months sitting at or below DFEN.

A position in this set, not a rating: it moves when the set moves, and it is not a figure to average against another desk's.

WindowFundITA+3x the moveDifferenceITA moved about
1M Sep 2 – Oct 2, 2026−20.6%−6.9%−20.6%0.0 pts14%
3M Jul 2 – Oct 2, 2026−44.7%−16.2%−48.5%+3.9 pts20%
6M Apr 2 – Oct 2, 2026−27.9%−6.2%−18.6%−9.3 pts24%
1Y Oct 2, 2025 – Oct 2, 2026−24.1%−0.5%−1.5%−22.6 pts23%
3Y Oct 3, 2023 – Oct 2, 2026+321.7%+104.0%not meaningful over this windownot meaningful over this window20%
Since launch May 3, 2017 – Oct 2, 2026+160.6%+198.1%not meaningful over this windownot meaningful over this window24%

DFEN over each window to Oct 2, 2026. Every figure is an ETFIQ calculation. Source: ETFIQ.

Head to head
Funds near this one

In plain words

Read the multiple against the whole window instead and 3 times ITA's −16.2% implies −48.5%, which makes DFEN look 3.9 points over. 5.5 of that is daily compounding, which happens to any 3 times fund over the same path, and the rest is the fund. DFEN aims to return +3 times ITA's move each day, then resets. Over one day it does that. Over longer, the daily results compound, so the total is not +3 times the period's move: in a market that falls and comes back it is reliably less, and in a steady run it can be more. ITA moved at 20% annualized over that window. That is what decides how far the two figures separate: the same fund on a calm underlying and a violent one is a different product.
Sets out to return+3 times the daily move of ITA, reset daily
Multiple a holder actually got over the window (ETFIQ)+2.76 times, against +3 stated
UnderlyingITA
Segmentsector or country, sector
Net assets (issuer page, as of Oct 1, 2026)$288m
Expense ratio (485BPOS XBRL, Feb 26, 2026)0.96%
LaunchedMay 3, 2017
Underlying volatility over the window (ETFIQ)20% annualized
DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X ETF), leveraged ETFs fields as of Oct 2, 2026. Source: ETFIQ.
Returns are ETFIQ calculations from Tiingo end-of-day prices, distributions reinvested, measured against the underlying over exactly the same days. How these figures are computed

Questions people ask about DFEN

Did DFEN return +3 times ITA?
Over the window to Oct 2, 2026, ITA moved −16.2% and DFEN returned −44.7%. 3 times that move is −48.5%, so the fund came out 3.9 points ahead of it.
Why does DFEN not return +3 times over a year?
Because it resets daily. DFEN aims at +3 times each day's move, and daily results compound. Over a run where the underlying falls and comes back, compounding a levered daily return leaves a holder behind what +3 times the period move would suggest; over a steady run in one direction it can leave them ahead. The longer the holding, and the more the underlying moves about, the further apart the two figures get.
Sources and dates
Prices, DFEN and ITATiingo end-of-day prices ↗
Fee, 0.96%SEC 485BPOS XBRL · Feb 26, 2026
Net assets, $288mIssuer page · Oct 1, 2026
IssuerDirexion website ↗
All fund filingsFund filings on SEC EDGAR ↗
SourceSEC investment company series and class file, which lists every registered fund ↗

ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement.

How these figures are computed →Standards and sources →Open data →
Cite this page

ETFIQ, DFEN, leveraged ETFs, data as of Oct 2, 2026. https://etfiq.com/funds/dfen

Open DFEN live on ETFIQ

Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.

Stated multiple
What the fund sets out to return against its underlying, each day. A fund at 2x aims to return twice the underlying’s daily move, and an inverse fund at -2x aims to return twice it in the opposite direction.
Daily reset
The fund starts each day aiming at the multiple again, from wherever it now stands. It is the mechanism that makes these funds behave as they do, and the reason the stated multiple applies to a day rather than to a holding period.
Compounding
Daily results multiply together rather than adding up. Two days of the multiple is not twice the multiple, and over a run of days the difference between the two grows with how far the underlying moves about.
Decay
What compounding costs a holder when the underlying falls and rises back to where it started. The underlying is level and the fund is down; the more violently it moved, the further down.
Difference against the stated multiple
The fund’s return minus the stated multiple times the underlying’s return, in percentage points. The one figure that says whether a holder got what the fund’s own multiple describes.
Every term used here, defined in full on the leveraged ETFs vocabulary page. →
What is a leveraged ETF?→Direxion: every fund ETFIQ covers→Leveraged ETFs against their own promise, 2026-Q2→Leveraged ETFs against their own promise, 2026-Q3→Leveraged ETFs against their own promise, August 2026→