Split Could Set Straight Two Direxion ETFs

Direxion Shares and Direxion Funds, managed by Rafferty Asset Management is the issuer of leveraged index funds, ETFs and alternative-class fund products for investment advisors and sophisticated investors who seek to effectively manage risk and return in both bull and bear markets. Founded in 1997, the company has approximately $6.5 billion in assets under management as of May 31, 2009. Disclosure available on the company's Web site further specifies that the products are intended for advanced investors only.

On Wednesday, July 8, Direxion will execute a 1-for-5 reverse split of the shares of FAS and a 1-for-10 reverse split of the shares of FAZ. Because of the split, some investors will be left holding fractional shares that cannot be traded on NYSE Arca. According to Direxion's press release:

Thus, FAS and FAZ will redeem for cash a shareholder's fractional shares at the Funds' respective split-adjusted NAVs as of July 8, 2009. Such redemptions could cause a shareholder to realize a gain or loss in connection with the redemption of the shareholder's fractional share. Otherwise, the reverse split will not result in a taxable transaction for holders of FAS or FAZ shares. No transaction fee will be imposed on shareholders for such redemption.

Direxion will provide a one-time opportunity for shareholders to redeem their odd-lot shares. While the split will hike up the price of FAS and FAZ, potentially discouraging some investors from scooping up shares, further market volatility could erode the price of FAS and FAZ once again in the future.

The reverse split in FAS and FAZ should dampen the explosion in volume that the funds have seen in the past few months. Since the share price of FAS and FAZ has been so low -- approximately $8 and $5, respectively -- investors have had to buy more and more shares to have equivalent investments.

The drop in price has also potentially attracted investors who do not belong in leveraged funds. With higher share prices and lower share volume, the headlines for these funds may finally become representative of their actual meaning to the market.