AAPU vs. XDSQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AAPU (Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares) and XDSQ (Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF) are both Leveraged Equities funds. AAPU is passively managed, while XDSQ is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, AAPU returned 25.97%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for XDSQ. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AAPU charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for XDSQ.

Performance

AAPU vs. XDSQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) and Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF (XDSQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAPU achieves a 23.16% return, which is significantly higher than XDSQ's 2.80% return.

AAPU

• 1D: -3.04%
• 1M: 24.81%
• YTD: 23.16%
• 6M: 11.93%
• 1Y: 104.11%
• 3Y*: 25.97%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XDSQ

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 1.59%
• YTD: 2.80%
• 6M: 3.86%
• 1Y: 15.98%
• 3Y*: 15.02%
• 5Y*: 9.80%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAPU vs. XDSQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	23.16%	-2.91%	58.45%	68.66%	-32.82%
XDSQ Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF	2.80%	14.22%	23.12%	23.00%	-1.77%

Correlation

The correlation between AAPU and XDSQ is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 10, 2022	0.60

The correlation between AAPU and XDSQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (1 year) to 0.60 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AAPU vs. XDSQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AAPU	XDSQ
Technology	100.0%	35.7%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Energy	-	3.5%
Financial Services	-	11.6%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Industrials	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

AAPU vs. XDSQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAPU

AAPU Risk / Return Rank: 63
AAPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
AAPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
AAPU Omega Ratio Rank: 61
AAPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
AAPU Martin Ratio Rank: 51

XDSQ

XDSQ Risk / Return Rank: 43
XDSQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
XDSQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
XDSQ Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XDSQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
XDSQ Martin Ratio Rank: 47

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAPU vs. XDSQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) and Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF (XDSQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AAPU	XDSQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	1.52	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	2.09	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.32	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.62	1.67	+1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.72	7.97	+0.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAPU vs. XDSQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAPU Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is higher than the XDSQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAPU and XDSQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAPU	XDSQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	1.52	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.69	-0.24

Drawdowns

AAPU vs. XDSQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAPU drawdown since its inception was -58.61%, which is greater than XDSQ's maximum drawdown of -26.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAPU and XDSQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAPU	XDSQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.61%	-26.06%	-32.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.90%	-9.60%	-19.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.61%	-19.15%	-39.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.04%	0.00%	-3.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.69%	-4.96%	-12.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.98%	2.01%	+9.97%

Volatility

AAPU vs. XDSQ - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) has a higher volatility of 10.71% compared to Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF (XDSQ) at 0.57%. This indicates that AAPU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XDSQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAPU	XDSQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.71%	0.57%	+10.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.79%	8.40%	+23.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.66%	10.56%	+34.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.93%	15.27%	+33.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	48.93%	15.10%	+33.83%

AAPU vs. XDSQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAPU has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than XDSQ's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAPU vs. XDSQ - Dividend Comparison

AAPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.90%, while XDSQ has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	6.90%	8.66%	14.58%	2.32%	0.79%
XDSQ Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAPU and XDSQ in my portfolio?

AAPU and XDSQ have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAPU or XDSQ?

AAPU has higher volatility (10.71%) compared to XDSQ (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAPU dropped -58.61% vs XDSQ's -26.06%.

Which ETF is better, AAPU or XDSQ?

On 3-year performance, AAPU leads with 25.97% vs 15.02% for XDSQ. On fees, XDSQ is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, XDSQ has been the lower-risk option at 0.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAPU or XDSQ?

Over the 3-year period, AAPU has performed better with a 25.97% return vs 15.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAPU or XDSQ?

XDSQ is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for AAPU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAPU or XDSQ?

AAPU has the higher dividend yield at 6.90%, compared with 0.00% for XDSQ.

What is the main difference between AAPU and XDSQ?

They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for AAPU and 0.79% for XDSQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.52), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.