RETL vs VYM
Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RETL or VYM?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RETL led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.4%.
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 | RETL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $25M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.56% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 82 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -24.08% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | -30.83% | +14.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.44% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -29.98% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 70.4% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -92.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $1,683 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.4% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 14, 2010 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2010 to Sep 23, 2026 (16.2 years).
RETL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
RETL vs VYM Performance
Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X ETF (RETL) 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 RETL returned -30.83% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, RETL is down 24.08% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, RETL compounded at +9.44% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -29.98% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, RETL has the edge at +11.35% annualized vs +10.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RETL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 70.4% compared with 13.0% 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 -92.0% for RETL 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RETL charges 0.96% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $4 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RETL currently yields 0.56% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
17.6% of RETL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.1% of VYM's money is in holdings RETL also owns.
RETL and VYM share little of their money.
18 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in RETL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 82 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 512 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RETL (96.0% of the fund), and 59 for RETL that do not appear in VYM (82.8%).
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 RETL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TGTTarget Corp Common Stock Usd.0833 | 1.27% | 0.27% | 1.00% |
| DGDollar General Corp. | 1.18% | 0.11% | 1.07% |
| PAGPenske Automotive Group Inc | 1.21% | 0.02% | 1.19% |
| TSCOTractor Supply Co. | 1.12% | 0.07% | 1.05% |
| EBAYEbay Inc. | 0.98% | 0.21% | 0.77% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.08% | 0.07% | 1.01% |
| DDSDillard's Inc | 1.06% | 0.01% | 1.05% |
| GAPGap Inc | 1.03% | 0.02% | 1.01% |
| BBWIBath & Body Works Inc | 1.02% | 0.02% | 1.00% |
| KRKroger Co. | 0.89% | 0.13% | 0.76% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RETL 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, RETL or VYM?
RETL has an expense ratio of 0.96% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RETL or VYM?
Over the past year RETL returned -30.83% vs +14.28% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), RETL annualized +11.35% vs +10.40% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RETL or VYM?
RETL has been the more volatile fund at 70.4% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RETL -92.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both RETL and VYM?
RETL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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 RETL and VYM?
17.6% of RETL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.1% of VYM's is in holdings RETL also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in RETL and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RETL or VYM?
RETL yields 0.56% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RETL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RETL led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.