DPST vs. BNKU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DPST (Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares) and BNKU (MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs) are both Leveraged Equities funds - DPST tracks the Solactive US Regional Banks Total Return Index (300%) while BNKU tracks the Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DPST returned 71.11% vs 119.83% for BNKU. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DPST charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BNKU.

Performance

DPST vs. BNKU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares (DPST) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs (BNKU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DPST achieves a 25.97% return, which is significantly higher than BNKU's 21.63% return.

DPST

• 1D: 3.07%
• 1M: 11.97%
• YTD: 25.97%
• 6M: 13.08%
• 1Y: 71.11%
• 3Y*: 39.46%
• 5Y*: -20.47%
• 10Y*: -11.53%

BNKU

• 1D: 4.59%
• 1M: 26.58%
• YTD: 21.63%
• 6M: 15.98%
• 1Y: 119.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DPST vs. BNKU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DPST Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares	25.97%	-18.88%
BNKU MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs	21.63%	34.97%

Correlation

The correlation between DPST and BNKU is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2025	0.76

The correlation between DPST and BNKU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

DPST vs. BNKU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DPST	BNKU
Financial Services	100.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DPST vs. BNKU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DPST

DPST Risk / Return Rank: 32
DPST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
DPST Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
DPST Omega Ratio Rank: 33
DPST Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
DPST Martin Ratio Rank: 29

BNKU

BNKU Risk / Return Rank: 55
BNKU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
BNKU Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
BNKU Omega Ratio Rank: 51
BNKU Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
BNKU Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

DPST vs. BNKU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares (DPST) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs (BNKU). 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.

	DPST	BNKU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	2.09	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	2.41	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.31	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	2.94	-1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.92	7.74	-3.82

DPST vs. BNKU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DPST Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is lower than the BNKU Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DPST and BNKU, 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

DPST vs. BNKU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DPST drawdown since its inception was -97.73%, which is greater than BNKU's maximum drawdown of -61.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DPST and BNKU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DPST	BNKU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.73%	-61.21%	-36.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-40.44%	-40.97%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-68.38%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-93.99%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-97.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-92.29%	0.00%	-92.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-64.24%	-17.80%	-46.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.21%	15.55%	+2.66%

Volatility

DPST vs. BNKU - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares (DPST) has a higher volatility of 18.44% compared to MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs (BNKU) at 16.19%. This indicates that DPST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BNKU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DPST	BNKU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.44%	16.19%	+2.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.98%	46.22%	+1.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	69.35%	57.82%	+11.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	88.96%	72.92%	+16.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	94.55%	72.92%	+21.63%

DPST vs. BNKU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DPST has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than BNKU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

DPST vs. BNKU - Dividend Comparison

DPST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, while BNKU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BNKU MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DPST Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares	1.68%	2.18%	1.55%	1.78%	1.51%	0.58%	0.90%	1.29%	2.18%	0.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DPST and BNKU in my portfolio?

DPST and BNKU have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DPST or BNKU?

DPST has higher volatility (18.44%) compared to BNKU (16.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DPST dropped -97.73% vs BNKU's -61.21%.

Which ETF is better, DPST or BNKU?

On 1-year performance, BNKU leads with 119.83% vs 71.11% for DPST. On fees, BNKU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, BNKU has been the lower-risk option at 16.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DPST or BNKU?

Over the 1-year period, BNKU has performed better with a 119.83% return vs 71.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DPST or BNKU?

BNKU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for DPST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DPST or BNKU?

DPST has the higher dividend yield at 1.68%, compared with 0.00% for BNKU.

What is the main difference between DPST and BNKU?

DPST tracks Solactive US Regional Banks Total Return Index (300%), while BNKU tracks Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Bank of Montreal. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for DPST and 0.95% for BNKU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BNKU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.03), 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.