CURE vs. LABU

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

CURE (Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares) and LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - CURE tracks the Health Care Select Sector Index (300%) while LABU tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CURE returned 13.49%/yr vs -11.11%/yr for LABU. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CURE charges 1.08%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for LABU.

Performance

CURE vs. LABU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares (CURE) and Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CURE achieves a -7.96% return, which is significantly lower than LABU's 12.06% return. Over the past 10 years, CURE has outperformed LABU with an annualized return of 13.49%, while LABU has yielded a comparatively lower -11.11% annualized return.

CURE

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 17.48%
• YTD: -7.96%
• 6M: -6.00%
• 1Y: 28.51%
• 3Y*: 3.05%
• 5Y*: 1.51%
• 10Y*: 13.49%

LABU

• 1D: 2.37%
• 1M: 3.51%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 207.12%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: -34.35%
• 10Y*: -11.11%

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

CURE vs. LABU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CURE Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares	-7.96%	22.55%	-8.47%	-9.40%	-20.51%	88.30%	5.02%	55.66%	2.82%	69.32%
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	12.06%	79.17%	-26.02%	-13.41%	-80.36%	-64.15%	74.66%	75.50%	-57.61%	149.12%

Correlation

The correlation between CURE and LABU is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 28, 2015	0.59

The correlation between CURE and LABU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

CURE vs. LABU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CURE	LABU
Healthcare	100.0%	99.7%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.3%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

CURE vs. LABU — Risk / Return Rank

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

CURE

CURE Risk / Return Rank: 21
CURE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
CURE Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
CURE Omega Ratio Rank: 22
CURE Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
CURE Martin Ratio Rank: 19

LABU

LABU Risk / Return Rank: 83
LABU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
LABU Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
LABU Omega Ratio Rank: 66
LABU Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
LABU Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

CURE vs. LABU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares (CURE) and Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU). 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.

	CURE	LABU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	2.57	-1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	2.89	-1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.34	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.85	6.49	-5.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.94	18.31	-16.37

CURE vs. LABU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CURE Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the LABU Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CURE and LABU, 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

CURE vs. LABU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CURE drawdown since its inception was -69.19%, smaller than the maximum LABU drawdown of -99.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CURE and LABU.

Drawdown Indicators

	CURE	LABU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.19%	-99.18%	+29.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.10%	-30.70%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-51.93%	-78.30%	+26.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.23%	-97.59%	+45.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.19%	-98.96%	+29.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.94%	-96.05%	+69.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.16%	-81.69%	+63.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.71%	10.91%	+2.80%

Volatility

CURE vs. LABU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares (CURE) is 14.30%, while Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) has a volatility of 31.31%. This indicates that CURE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LABU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CURE	LABU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.30%	31.31%	-17.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.87%	61.52%	-30.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.32%	77.69%	-33.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.84%	95.70%	-51.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.59%	95.45%	-45.86%

CURE vs. LABU - Expense Ratio Comparison

CURE has a 1.08% expense ratio, which is lower than LABU's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

CURE vs. LABU - Dividend Comparison

CURE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, more than LABU's 0.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CURE Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares	1.16%	1.12%	1.17%	2.02%	0.38%	0.02%	0.17%	0.40%	0.70%	0.18%
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	0.69%	0.84%	0.35%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.28%	0.64%	0.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CURE and LABU in my portfolio?

CURE and LABU have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CURE or LABU?

LABU has higher volatility (31.31%) compared to CURE (14.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CURE dropped -69.19% vs LABU's -99.18%.

Which ETF is better, CURE or LABU?

On 10-year performance, CURE leads with 13.49% vs -11.11% for LABU. On fees, CURE is cheaper at 1.08% per year. On volatility, CURE has been the lower-risk option at 14.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CURE or LABU?

Over the 10-year period, CURE has performed better with a 13.49% return vs -11.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CURE or LABU?

CURE is cheaper with a 1.08% expense ratio, compared with 1.12% for LABU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CURE or LABU?

CURE has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.69% for LABU.

What is the main difference between CURE and LABU?

CURE tracks Health Care Select Sector Index (300%), while LABU tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 1.08% for CURE and 1.12% for LABU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 0.60), 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.