GUSH vs. LABU

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

GUSH (Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares) and LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - GUSH tracks the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (300%) while LABU tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GUSH returned -36.71%/yr vs -12.12%/yr for LABU. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GUSH charges 1.17%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for LABU.

Performance

GUSH vs. LABU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares (GUSH) 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, GUSH achieves a 59.17% return, which is significantly higher than LABU's 6.64% return. Over the past 10 years, GUSH has underperformed LABU with an annualized return of -36.71%, while LABU has yielded a comparatively higher -12.12% annualized return.

GUSH

• 1D: -5.24%
• 1M: -2.66%
• YTD: 59.17%
• 6M: 41.00%
• 1Y: 59.55%
• 3Y*: 7.95%
• 5Y*: 9.50%
• 10Y*: -36.71%

LABU

• 1D: 6.80%
• 1M: -10.49%
• YTD: 6.64%
• 6M: 8.23%
• 1Y: 184.28%
• 3Y*: 7.22%
• 5Y*: -35.06%
• 10Y*: -12.12%

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

GUSH vs. LABU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GUSH Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares	59.17%	-19.39%	-12.73%	-7.23%	66.47%	129.94%	-97.38%	-52.68%	-74.28%	-40.21%
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	6.64%	79.17%	-26.02%	-13.41%	-80.36%	-64.15%	74.66%	75.50%	-57.61%	149.12%

Correlation

The correlation between GUSH and LABU is -0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2015	0.32

The correlation between GUSH and LABU shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.32 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GUSH vs. LABU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GUSH	LABU
Energy	97.2%	-
Basic Materials	2.9%	0.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	99.8%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GUSH vs. LABU — Risk / Return Rank

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

GUSH

GUSH Risk / Return Rank: 36
GUSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
GUSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
GUSH Omega Ratio Rank: 32
GUSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
GUSH Martin Ratio Rank: 34

LABU

LABU Risk / Return Rank: 79
LABU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
LABU Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
LABU Omega Ratio Rank: 61
LABU Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
LABU Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

GUSH vs. LABU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares (GUSH) 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.

	GUSH	LABU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	2.41	-1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	2.79	-1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.33	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	6.04	-3.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.64	17.12	-12.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GUSH vs. LABU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GUSH Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is lower than the LABU Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GUSH 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GUSH	LABU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	2.41	-1.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	-0.37	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.39	-0.13	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.44	-0.23	-0.21

Drawdowns

GUSH vs. LABU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GUSH drawdown since its inception was -99.98%, roughly equal to the maximum LABU drawdown of -99.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GUSH and LABU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GUSH	LABU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.98%	-99.18%	-0.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.94%	-30.70%	+1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-63.59%	-78.30%	+14.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.64%	-97.59%	+23.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.94%	-98.96%	-0.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.81%	-96.24%	-3.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-92.89%	-81.67%	-11.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.86%	10.81%	+2.05%

Volatility

GUSH vs. LABU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares (GUSH) is 17.08%, while Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) has a volatility of 29.37%. This indicates that GUSH 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

	GUSH	LABU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.08%	29.37%	-12.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.97%	60.90%	-16.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	55.76%	77.11%	-21.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	68.30%	95.62%	-27.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	93.59%	95.44%	-1.85%

GUSH vs. LABU - Expense Ratio Comparison

GUSH has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than LABU's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

GUSH vs. LABU - Dividend Comparison

GUSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.57%, more than LABU's 0.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GUSH Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bull 2x Shares	1.57%	2.60%	2.96%	3.00%	0.47%	0.00%	0.20%	1.68%	0.17%	0.00%	3.26%
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	0.72%	0.84%	0.35%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.28%	0.64%	0.17%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GUSH and LABU in my portfolio?

GUSH and LABU have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GUSH or LABU?

LABU has higher volatility (29.37%) compared to GUSH (17.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GUSH dropped -99.98% vs LABU's -99.18%.

Which ETF is better, GUSH or LABU?

On 10-year performance, LABU leads with -12.12% vs -36.71% for GUSH. On fees, LABU is cheaper at 1.12% per year. On volatility, GUSH has been the lower-risk option at 17.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GUSH or LABU?

Over the 10-year period, LABU has performed better with a -12.12% return vs -36.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GUSH or LABU?

LABU is cheaper with a 1.12% expense ratio, compared with 1.17% for GUSH.

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

GUSH has the higher dividend yield at 1.57%, compared with 0.72% for LABU.

What is the main difference between GUSH and LABU?

GUSH tracks S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (300%), while LABU tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 1.17% for GUSH and 1.12% for LABU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.07), 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.