AIBU vs. ARTY

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AIBU (Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares) and ARTY (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds - AIBU tracks the Solactive US AI & Big Data Index while ARTY tracks the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AIBU returned 44.34% vs 63.16% for ARTY. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AIBU charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for ARTY.

Performance

AIBU vs. ARTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares (AIBU) and iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIBU achieves a 24.34% return, which is significantly lower than ARTY's 43.11% return.

AIBU

• 1D: 7.06%
• 1M: 2.59%
• 6M: 27.87%
• YTD: 24.34%
• 1Y: 44.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 51.00%

ARTY

• 1D: 3.39%
• 1M: -3.07%
• 6M: 32.62%
• YTD: 43.11%
• 1Y: 63.16%
• 3Y*: 28.37%
• 5Y*: 10.52%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.10%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AIBU Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares	$445.98K	$469.28K	$1.04M
ARTY iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	$35.64M	$36.90M	$59.33M

AIBU vs. ARTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIBU Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares	24.34%	42.25%	41.01%
ARTY iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	43.11%	29.97%	9.38%

Correlation

The correlation between AIBU and ARTY is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2024	0.89

The correlation between AIBU and ARTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIBU vs. ARTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIBU	ARTY
Technology	82.8%	87.8%
Communication Services	10.2%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	6.2%	-
Healthcare	0.8%	0.9%
Industrials	0.1%	5.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.7%
Real Estate	-	1.4%
Utilities	-	1.6%

Return for Risk

AIBU vs. ARTY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AIBU

AIBU Risk / Return Rank: 32
AIBU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
AIBU Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
AIBU Omega Ratio Rank: 35
AIBU Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
AIBU Martin Ratio Rank: 26

ARTY

ARTY Risk / Return Rank: 69
ARTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
ARTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
ARTY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
ARTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
ARTY Martin Ratio Rank: 68

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AIBU vs. ARTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares (AIBU) and iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AIBU	ARTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	1.70	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	2.18	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.28	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	2.64	-1.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.05	8.49	-6.44

AIBU vs. ARTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIBU Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the ARTY Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIBU and ARTY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AIBU vs. ARTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIBU drawdown since its inception was -51.17%, smaller than the maximum ARTY drawdown of -54.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIBU and ARTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIBU	ARTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.17%	-54.50%	+3.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.71%	-24.00%	-24.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-32.44%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-50.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.67%	-14.61%	-5.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.24%	-19.68%	+5.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.67%	7.46%	+14.21%

Volatility

AIBU vs. ARTY - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares (AIBU) has a higher volatility of 18.26% compared to iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) at 14.41%. This indicates that AIBU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ARTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIBU	ARTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.26%	14.41%	+3.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.14%	33.09%	+9.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.73%	37.42%	+15.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	56.16%	30.34%	+25.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	56.16%	28.65%	+27.51%

AIBU vs. ARTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIBU has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than ARTY's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIBU vs. ARTY - Dividend Comparison

AIBU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.73%, more than ARTY's 0.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AIBU Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares	1.73%	2.27%	1.33%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ARTY iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	0.06%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIBU and ARTY in my portfolio?

AIBU and ARTY have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIBU or ARTY?

AIBU has higher volatility (18.26%) compared to ARTY (14.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIBU dropped -51.17% vs ARTY's -54.50%.

Which ETF is better, AIBU or ARTY?

On 1-year performance, ARTY leads with 63.16% vs 44.34% for AIBU. On fees, ARTY is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, ARTY has been the lower-risk option at 14.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIBU or ARTY?

Over the 1-year period, ARTY has performed better with a 63.16% return vs 44.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIBU or ARTY?

ARTY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for AIBU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIBU or ARTY?

AIBU has the higher dividend yield at 1.73%, compared with 0.06% for ARTY.

What is the main difference between AIBU and ARTY?

AIBU tracks Solactive US AI & Big Data Index, while ARTY tracks Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for AIBU and 0.47% for ARTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 0.85), 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.