DRN vs VTI
Direxion Daily Real Estate Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DRN or VTI?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.0%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DRN | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.98% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $42M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.01% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 36 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +1.72% | +12.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.03% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.95% | +22.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -14.79% | +12.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 53.4% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $4,492 | $17,916Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 16, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2009 to Sep 28, 2026 (17.2 years).
DRN vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 17.2 years both funds cover.
DRN vs VTI Performance
Direxion Daily Real Estate Bull 3X ETF (DRN) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DRN returned -10.03% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, DRN is up 1.72% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Over three years, DRN compounded at +9.95% per year against +22.42% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -14.79% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.31% annualized vs +10.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DRN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 53.4% compared with 14.8% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -86.3% for DRN and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DRN charges 0.98% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $98 vs $3 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DRN currently yields 2.01% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
78.1% of DRN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.7% of VTI's money is in holdings DRN also owns.
Most of DRN is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in DRN and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 36 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,120 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DRN (95.8% of the fund), and 2 for DRN that do not appear in VTI (23.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DRN | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 9.10% | 0.23% | 8.87% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 7.10% | 0.19% | 6.91% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.43% | 0.14% | 5.29% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 4.40% | 0.11% | 4.29% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 3.86% | 0.03% | 3.83% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 3.80% | 0.09% | 3.71% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 3.68% | 0.10% | 3.58% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 3.62% | 0.06% | 3.56% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 3.54% | 0.08% | 3.46% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 3.52% | 0.08% | 3.44% |
78.1% of DRN is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DRN or VTI?
DRN has an expense ratio of 0.98% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DRN or VTI?
Over the past year DRN returned -10.03% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), DRN annualized +10.05% vs +13.31% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DRN or VTI?
DRN has been the more volatile fund at 53.4% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DRN -86.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both DRN and VTI?
DRN and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DRN and VTI?
78.1% of DRN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.7% of VTI's is in holdings DRN also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in DRN and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DRN or VTI?
DRN yields 2.01% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DRN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DRN?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.