Investors are still analyzing the aftermath of 2025, a year that defied conventional market wisdom in nearly every asset class. It was a period defined by anomalies: Gold, typically held as a defensive hedge, rallied even more aggressively than it had in 2024. Conversely, cryptocurrencies received institutional validation—a virtual “knighthood”—from banking giants like JPMorgan, becoming a staple in modern ETF portfolios. Yet, despite this mainstream acceptance, the crypto sector finished the year firmly in the red.
The Resilience of Global Indices
Amidst this volatility, the MSCI World index proved to be a surprising stronghold. Despite the economic shocks triggered by the new U.S. administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, the index managed to gain nearly 22 percent over the course of the year. For many retail investors, particularly in Europe where the ETF remains a portfolio favorite, this performance appeared rock-solid. However, relying on a repeat of this resilience in 2026 may be risky. Analysts citing data from Handelsblatt suggest there are fundamental reasons to be wary of the index moving forward, as the macroeconomic factors that shielded the markets last year are beginning to shift.
Focus on Leveraged Opportunities
While broad indices face headwinds, traders looking for aggressive tactical plays are turning their attention to specific sector bets. One area of activity is the leveraged emerging markets sector, specifically tracking Chinese internet giants. The Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2X Shares is currently trading at $44.30, reflecting a daily uptick of 0.73 percent. This instrument is designed for short-term conviction, creating long positions to achieve 200 percent of the daily performance of the CSI Overseas China Internet Index.
Fund Metrics and Volatility
The profile of this fund highlights the variance traders are currently navigating. With a 52-week trading range spanning from a low of $26.93 to a high of $61.24, volatility is inherent to the strategy. As of the January 21, 2026 valuation, the fund held net assets of approximately $253.1 million with 6.17 million shares outstanding. The Net Asset Value (NAV) was reported at $43.23, slightly trailing the open market price. Investors utilizing this vehicle are paying a net expense ratio of 1.25 percent for the leverage, with a high portfolio turnover rate of 105 percent indicating the active nature of the underlying holdings. Despite the risks, the fund offers a yield of 2.53 percent, appealing to those willing to stomach the swings of the Chinese tech sector in an uncertain global environment.
