AIBU vs. QQUP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AIBU (Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares) and QQUP (ProShares Ultra Top QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds - AIBU tracks the Solactive US AI & Big Data Index while QQUP tracks the Nasdaq-100 Mega Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AIBU returned 67.41% vs 38.57% for QQUP. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AIBU charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QQUP.

Performance

AIBU vs. QQUP - 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 ProShares Ultra Top QQQ (QQUP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIBU achieves a 24.78% return, which is significantly higher than QQUP's -3.91% return.

AIBU

• 1D: -4.43%
• 1M: -3.16%
• YTD: 24.78%
• 6M: 21.08%
• 1Y: 67.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQUP

• 1D: -3.22%
• 1M: -16.85%
• YTD: -3.91%
• 6M: -6.57%
• 1Y: 38.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AIBU vs. QQUP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AIBU Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares	24.78%	35.81%
QQUP ProShares Ultra Top QQQ	-3.91%	45.33%

Correlation

The correlation between AIBU and QQUP is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2025	0.83

The correlation between AIBU and QQUP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AIBU vs. QQUP — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIBU

AIBU Risk / Return Rank: 34
AIBU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
AIBU Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
AIBU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
AIBU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
AIBU Martin Ratio Rank: 26

QQUP

QQUP Risk / Return Rank: 26
QQUP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
QQUP Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
QQUP Omega Ratio Rank: 27
QQUP Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
QQUP Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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. QQUP - 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 ProShares Ultra Top QQQ (QQUP). 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	QQUP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	0.97	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	1.46	+0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.18	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	1.03	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.34	2.87	+0.46

AIBU vs. QQUP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIBU Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is higher than the QQUP Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIBU and QQUP, 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. QQUP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIBU drawdown since its inception was -51.17%, which is greater than QQUP's maximum drawdown of -37.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIBU and QQUP.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIBU	QQUP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.17%	-37.67%	-13.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.71%	-37.67%	-11.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.38%	-21.46%	+2.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.79%	-9.48%	-4.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.26%	13.45%	+6.81%

Volatility

AIBU vs. QQUP - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares (AIBU) has a higher volatility of 21.15% compared to ProShares Ultra Top QQQ (QQUP) at 14.01%. This indicates that AIBU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQUP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIBU	QQUP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.15%	14.01%	+7.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.22%	30.62%	+8.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.36%	40.03%	+10.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	55.97%	39.79%	+16.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	55.97%	39.79%	+16.18%

AIBU vs. QQUP - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIBU has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than QQUP's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIBU vs. QQUP - Dividend Comparison

AIBU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, more than QQUP's 0.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AIBU Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares	1.79%	2.27%	1.33%
QQUP ProShares Ultra Top QQQ	0.50%	0.29%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIBU and QQUP in my portfolio?

AIBU and QQUP have a correlation of 0.83, 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 QQUP?

AIBU has higher volatility (21.15%) compared to QQUP (14.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIBU dropped -51.17% vs QQUP's -37.67%.

Which ETF is better, AIBU or QQUP?

On 1-year performance, AIBU leads with 67.41% vs 38.57% for QQUP. On fees, QQUP is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, QQUP has been the lower-risk option at 14.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIBU or QQUP?

Over the 1-year period, AIBU has performed better with a 67.41% return vs 38.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIBU or QQUP?

QQUP is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for AIBU.

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

AIBU has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 0.50% for QQUP.

What is the main difference between AIBU and QQUP?

AIBU tracks Solactive US AI & Big Data Index, while QQUP tracks Nasdaq-100 Mega Index (200%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for AIBU and 0.95% for QQUP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIBU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 0.97), 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.