DRN vs VYM
Direxion Daily Real Estate Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DRN or VYM?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.98% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $42M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.01% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 36 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.27% | +10.24%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.34% | +14.89%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.05% | +18.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -14.90% | +11.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 53.4% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.3% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $4,463 | $17,172Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.0% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 16, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2009 to Sep 25, 2026 (17.2 years).
DRN vs VYM 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 VYM Performance
Direxion Daily Real Estate Bull 3X ETF (DRN) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DRN returned -5.34% while VYM returned +14.89%. Year to date, DRN is up 3.27% versus a gain of 10.24% for VYM.
Over three years, DRN compounded at +11.05% per year against +18.00% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -14.90% and +11.42% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.67% annualized vs +10.15%.
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 13.1% for VYM. 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 -35.7% for VYM. 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 VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $98 vs $4 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DRN currently yields 2.01% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 32 holdings in DRN and 557 in VYM, totalling 101.1% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in DRN and 557 in VYM, against full books of 36 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 528 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DRN (97.1% of the fund), and 32 for DRN that do not appear in VYM (101.1%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DRN and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DRN or VYM?
DRN has an expense ratio of 0.98% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DRN or VYM?
Over the past year DRN returned -5.34% vs +14.89% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), DRN annualized +10.15% vs +10.67% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DRN or VYM?
DRN has been the more volatile fund at 53.4% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DRN -86.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both DRN and VYM?
DRN and VYM 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, DRN or VYM?
DRN yields 2.01% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DRN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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.