AIBU vs. IFED

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AIBU (Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares) and IFED (ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds - AIBU tracks the Solactive US AI & Big Data Index while IFED tracks the IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AIBU returned 109.46% vs 1.97% for IFED. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AIBU charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for IFED.

Performance

AIBU vs. IFED - 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 ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIBU achieves a 48.05% return, which is significantly higher than IFED's -3.52% return.

AIBU

• 1D: -4.35%
• 1M: 29.93%
• YTD: 48.05%
• 6M: 34.98%
• 1Y: 109.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IFED

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 4.85%
• YTD: -3.52%
• 6M: -3.51%
• 1Y: 1.97%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AIBU vs. IFED - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIBU Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares	48.05%	42.25%	38.36%
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	-3.52%	15.02%	7.75%

Correlation

The correlation between AIBU and IFED is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2024	0.63

The correlation between AIBU and IFED has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AIBU vs. IFED — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIBU

AIBU Risk / Return Rank: 53
AIBU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
AIBU Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AIBU Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AIBU Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
AIBU Martin Ratio Rank: 36

IFED

IFED Risk / Return Rank: 10
IFED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Omega Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

AIBU vs. IFED - 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 ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED). 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.

	AIBU	IFED	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	0.12	+2.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	0.29	+2.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.04	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	0.14	+2.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.52	0.34	+5.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIBU vs. IFED - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIBU Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the IFED Sharpe Ratio of 0.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIBU and IFED, 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

	AIBU	IFED	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	0.12	+2.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.65	+0.60

Drawdowns

AIBU vs. IFED - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIBU drawdown since its inception was -51.17%, which is greater than IFED's maximum drawdown of -22.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIBU and IFED.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIBU	IFED	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.17%	-22.36%	-28.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.71%	-14.65%	-34.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.35%	-5.50%	+1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.76%	-5.84%	-7.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.91%	5.75%	+14.16%

Volatility

AIBU vs. IFED - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares (AIBU) has a higher volatility of 14.56% compared to ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) at 4.50%. This indicates that AIBU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IFED based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIBU	IFED	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.56%	4.50%	+10.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.96%	12.86%	+24.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.71%	16.21%	+31.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	55.37%	19.88%	+35.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	55.37%	19.88%	+35.49%

AIBU vs. IFED - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIBU has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than IFED's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIBU vs. IFED - Dividend Comparison

AIBU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, while IFED has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AIBU Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares	1.51%	2.27%	1.33%
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIBU and IFED in my portfolio?

AIBU and IFED have a correlation of 0.57, 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 IFED?

AIBU has higher volatility (14.56%) compared to IFED (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIBU dropped -51.17% vs IFED's -22.36%.

Which ETF is better, AIBU or IFED?

On 1-year performance, AIBU leads with 109.46% vs 1.97% for IFED. On fees, IFED is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, IFED has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIBU or IFED?

Over the 1-year period, AIBU has performed better with a 109.46% return vs 1.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIBU or IFED?

IFED is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for AIBU.

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

AIBU has the higher dividend yield at 1.51%, compared with 0.00% for IFED.

What is the main difference between AIBU and IFED?

AIBU tracks Solactive US AI & Big Data Index, while IFED tracks IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for AIBU and 0.45% for IFED.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIBU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 0.12), 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.