AIBU vs. TQQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AIBU (Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares) and TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds - AIBU tracks the Solactive US AI & Big Data Index while TQQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AIBU returned 123.94% vs 145.30% for TQQQ. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AIBU charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TQQQ.

Performance

AIBU vs. TQQQ - 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 UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIBU achieves a 54.78% return, which is significantly lower than TQQQ's 65.71% return.

AIBU

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 36.15%
• YTD: 54.78%
• 6M: 41.27%
• 1Y: 123.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TQQQ

• 1D: 1.37%
• 1M: 33.57%
• YTD: 65.71%
• 6M: 58.23%
• 1Y: 145.30%
• 3Y*: 69.92%
• 5Y*: 29.86%
• 10Y*: 45.44%

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

AIBU vs. TQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIBU Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares	54.78%	42.25%	38.36%
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	65.71%	34.35%	25.97%

Correlation

The correlation between AIBU and TQQQ is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2024	0.91

The correlation between AIBU and TQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIBU vs. TQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIBU	TQQQ
Technology	26.0%	53.8%
Communication Services	3.6%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	2.3%	12.3%
Healthcare	0.2%	4.2%
Industrials	0.1%	2.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

AIBU vs. TQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIBU

AIBU Risk / Return Rank: 59
AIBU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AIBU Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
AIBU Omega Ratio Rank: 61
AIBU Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
AIBU Martin Ratio Rank: 40

TQQQ

TQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 75
TQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
TQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
TQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 68
TQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
TQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. TQQQ - 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 UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). 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	TQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	3.07	-0.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	3.19	-0.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.42	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	4.08	-1.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.47	13.38	-6.91
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. TQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIBU Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the TQQQ Sharpe Ratio of 3.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIBU and TQQQ, 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	TQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	3.07	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.32	0.74	+0.58

Drawdowns

AIBU vs. TQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIBU drawdown since its inception was -51.17%, smaller than the maximum TQQQ drawdown of -81.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIBU and TQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIBU	TQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.17%	-81.66%	+30.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.71%	-36.97%	-11.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-58.04%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-81.66%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-81.66%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.78%	-18.53%	+4.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.91%	11.28%	+8.63%

Volatility

AIBU vs. TQQQ - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares (AIBU) and ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) have volatilities of 13.34% and 13.26%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIBU	TQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.34%	13.26%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.70%	36.05%	+0.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.51%	47.63%	-0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	55.33%	66.55%	-11.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	55.33%	65.98%	-10.65%

AIBU vs. TQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

AIBU vs. TQQQ - Dividend Comparison

AIBU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than TQQQ's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIBU Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares	1.45%	2.27%	1.33%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	0.36%	0.65%	1.27%	1.26%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.06%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIBU and TQQQ in my portfolio?

AIBU and TQQQ 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 TQQQ?

AIBU has higher volatility (13.34%) compared to TQQQ (13.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIBU dropped -51.17% vs TQQQ's -81.66%.

Which ETF is better, AIBU or TQQQ?

On 1-year performance, TQQQ leads with 145.30% vs 123.94% for AIBU. On fees, TQQQ is cheaper at 0.95% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIBU or TQQQ?

Over the 1-year period, TQQQ has performed better with a 145.30% return vs 123.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIBU or TQQQ?

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

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

AIBU has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.36% for TQQQ.

What is the main difference between AIBU and TQQQ?

AIBU tracks Solactive US AI & Big Data Index, while TQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for AIBU and 0.95% for TQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 2.63), 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.