BIB vs. PILL
BIB (ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology) and PILL (Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds - BIB tracks the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (200%) while PILL tracks the Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BIB returned -0.74%/yr vs -7.89%/yr for PILL. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BIB charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.98%/yr for PILL.
Performance
BIB vs. PILL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BIB achieves a 12.50% return, which is significantly lower than PILL's 26.72% return.
BIB
- 1D
- 1.97%
- 1M
- 9.49%
- YTD
- 12.50%
- 6M
- 8.62%
- 1Y
- 100.86%
- 3Y*
- 19.65%
- 5Y*
- -0.74%
- 10Y*
- 9.71%
PILL
- 1D
- 5.13%
- 1M
- 27.73%
- YTD
- 26.72%
- 6M
- 23.80%
- 1Y
- 194.90%
- 3Y*
- 24.44%
- 5Y*
- -7.89%
- 10Y*
- —
BIB vs. PILL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIB ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology | 12.50% | 59.21% | -9.84% | -1.06% | -28.85% | -6.02% | 39.79% | 46.71% | -24.93% | 10.01% |
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares | 26.72% | 75.14% | -7.26% | -12.06% | -43.16% | -37.33% | 0.28% | 19.26% | -21.15% | 16.39% |
Correlation
The correlation between BIB and PILL is 0.80, 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 | 0.80 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2017 | 0.79 |
The correlation between BIB and PILL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.
BIB vs. PILL - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
BIB
PILL
Healthcare
Financial Services
-
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Industrials
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Technology
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Healthcare
BIB
PILL
Financial Services
BIB
PILL
-
Basic Materials
BIB
-
PILL
-
Communication Services
BIB
-
PILL
-
Consumer Cyclical
BIB
-
PILL
-
Consumer Defensive
BIB
-
PILL
-
Energy
BIB
-
PILL
-
Industrials
BIB
-
PILL
-
Real Estate
BIB
-
PILL
-
Technology
BIB
-
PILL
-
Utilities
BIB
-
PILL
-
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Return for Risk
BIB vs. PILL — Risk / Return Rank
BIB
PILL
BIB vs. PILL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (BIB) and Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL). 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.
| BIB | PILL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.63 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.40 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.99 | 5.91 | +0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.30 | 19.45 | -1.15 |
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Drawdowns
BIB vs. PILL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BIB drawdown since its inception was -67.24%, smaller than the maximum PILL drawdown of -88.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIB and PILL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BIB | PILL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.24% | -88.76% | +21.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.92% | -33.21% | +16.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -45.30% | -60.43% | +15.13% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -65.86% | -83.26% | +17.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.20% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.29% | -56.58% | +39.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.71% | -58.54% | +25.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.53% | 10.07% | -4.54% |
Volatility
BIB vs. PILL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (BIB) is 13.56%, while Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) has a volatility of 18.07%. This indicates that BIB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PILL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BIB | PILL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.56% | 18.07% | -4.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 31.65% | 48.23% | -16.58% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 40.43% | 62.55% | -22.12% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 43.60% | 60.62% | -17.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 46.39% | 63.79% | -17.40% |
BIB vs. PILL - Expense Ratio Comparison
BIB has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than PILL's 0.98% expense ratio.
Dividends
BIB vs. PILL - Dividend Comparison
BIB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.55%, more than PILL's 0.49% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIB ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology | 0.55% | 0.77% | 1.69% | 0.07% | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares | 0.49% | 0.69% | 1.28% | 1.83% | 0.67% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.38% | 0.91% | 0.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BIB and PILL have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PILL has higher volatility (18.07%) compared to BIB (13.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIB dropped -67.24% vs PILL's -88.76%.
On 5-year performance, BIB leads with -0.74% vs -7.89% for PILL. On fees, BIB is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, BIB has been the lower-risk option at 13.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, BIB has performed better with a -0.74% return vs -7.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIB is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for PILL.
BIB has the higher dividend yield at 0.55%, compared with 0.49% for PILL.
BIB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (200%), while PILL tracks Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BIB and 0.98% for PILL.
PILL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.14 vs 2.51), 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.
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