BRKU vs. BAI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BRKU (Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares) and BAI (iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BRKU is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Direxion, while BAI is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BRKU returned -10.14% vs 86.14% for BAI. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. BRKU charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for BAI.

Performance

BRKU vs. BAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares (BRKU) and iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRKU achieves a -9.67% return, which is significantly lower than BAI's 49.94% return.

BRKU

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: -9.67%
• 6M: -9.20%
• 1Y: -10.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BAI

• 1D: -7.93%
• 1M: 4.43%
• YTD: 49.94%
• 6M: 47.29%
• 1Y: 86.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BRKU vs. BAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BRKU Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares	-9.67%	6.44%	-3.78%
BAI iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF	49.94%	25.22%	-0.84%

Correlation

The correlation between BRKU and BAI is -0.20, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	-0.04

The correlation between BRKU and BAI shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to -0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRKU vs. BAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRKU

BRKU Risk / Return Rank: 5
BRKU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
BRKU Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
BRKU Omega Ratio Rank: 6
BRKU Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
BRKU Martin Ratio Rank: 5

BAI

BAI Risk / Return Rank: 74
BAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
BAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
BAI Omega Ratio Rank: 65
BAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
BAI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

BRKU vs. BAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares (BRKU) and iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI). 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.

	BRKU	BAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.37	2.32	-2.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.33	2.70	-3.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.37	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.46	5.34	-5.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.90	14.08	-14.98

BRKU vs. BAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRKU Sharpe Ratio is -0.37, which is lower than the BAI Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRKU and BAI, 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

BRKU vs. BAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRKU drawdown since its inception was -35.37%, roughly equal to the maximum BAI drawdown of -34.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRKU and BAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRKU	BAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.37%	-34.09%	-1.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.06%	-16.22%	-5.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.12%	-7.93%	-21.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.19%	-6.87%	-12.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.34%	6.14%	+5.20%

Volatility

BRKU vs. BAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares (BRKU) is 7.37%, while iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI) has a volatility of 20.05%. This indicates that BRKU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRKU	BAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.37%	20.05%	-12.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.55%	31.41%	-10.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.85%	37.30%	-9.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.11%	37.40%	-3.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.11%	37.40%	-3.29%

BRKU vs. BAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRKU has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than BAI's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRKU vs. BAI - Dividend Comparison

BRKU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, more than BAI's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
BAI iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF	1.19%	1.80%
BRKU Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares	2.82%	2.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRKU and BAI in my portfolio?

BRKU and BAI have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRKU or BAI?

BAI has higher volatility (20.05%) compared to BRKU (7.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRKU dropped -35.37% vs BAI's -34.09%.

Which ETF is better, BRKU or BAI?

On 1-year performance, BAI leads with 86.14% vs -10.14% for BRKU. On fees, BAI is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, BRKU has been the lower-risk option at 7.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BRKU or BAI?

Over the 1-year period, BAI has performed better with a 86.14% return vs -10.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BRKU or BAI?

BAI is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for BRKU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BRKU or BAI?

BRKU has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 1.19% for BAI.

What is the main difference between BRKU and BAI?

BRKU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while BAI is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for BRKU and 0.55% for BAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs -0.37), 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.