LABD vs. LABU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

LABD (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares) and LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - LABD tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (-300%) while LABU tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LABD returned -55.90%/yr vs -13.92%/yr for LABU. At a correlation of -1.00, they often move in opposite directions. LABD charges 1.06%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for LABU.

Performance

LABD vs. LABU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares (LABD) 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, LABD achieves a -26.35% return, which is significantly lower than LABU's -0.77% return. Over the past 10 years, LABD has underperformed LABU with an annualized return of -55.90%, while LABU has yielded a comparatively higher -13.92% annualized return.

LABD

• 1D: 13.36%
• 1M: 2.25%
• YTD: -26.35%
• 6M: -33.91%
• 1Y: -80.10%
• 3Y*: -49.03%
• 5Y*: -40.90%
• 10Y*: -55.90%

LABU

• 1D: -12.94%
• 1M: -8.90%
• YTD: -0.77%
• 6M: 7.41%
• 1Y: 193.25%
• 3Y*: 6.21%
• 5Y*: -33.29%
• 10Y*: -13.92%

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

LABD vs. LABU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LABD Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares	-26.35%	-70.07%	-21.43%	-41.77%	-32.68%	1.86%	-89.75%	-70.80%	-6.26%	-75.67%
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	-0.77%	79.17%	-26.02%	-13.41%	-80.36%	-64.15%	74.66%	75.50%	-57.61%	149.12%

Correlation

The correlation between LABD and LABU is -1.00, 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	-1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2015	-1.00

The correlation between LABD and LABU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -1.00 to -1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LABD vs. LABU — Risk / Return Rank

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

LABD

LABD Risk / Return Rank: 1
LABD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
LABD Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
LABD Omega Ratio Rank: 0
LABD Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
LABD Martin Ratio Rank: 2

LABU

LABU Risk / Return Rank: 76
LABU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
LABU Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
LABU Omega Ratio Rank: 55
LABU Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
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.

LABD vs. LABU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares (LABD) 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.

	LABD	LABU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.06	2.57	-3.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-2.21	2.91	-5.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.75	1.34	-0.59
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.98	7.09	-8.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.32	20.95	-22.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LABD vs. LABU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LABD Sharpe Ratio is -1.06, which is lower than the LABU Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LABD 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

	LABD	LABU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.06	2.57	-3.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.43	-0.35	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.58	-0.15	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.54	-0.24	-0.30

Drawdowns

LABD vs. LABU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LABD drawdown since its inception was -99.99%, roughly equal to the maximum LABU drawdown of -99.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LABD and LABU.

Drawdown Indicators

	LABD	LABU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.99%	-99.18%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-83.21%	-30.70%	-52.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-95.31%	-78.30%	-17.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-98.24%	-97.59%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.98%	-98.96%	-1.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.99%	-96.50%	-3.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-90.92%	-81.67%	-9.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	62.04%	10.40%	+51.64%

Volatility

LABD vs. LABU - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares (LABD) and Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) have volatilities of 28.02% and 28.40%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LABD	LABU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	28.02%	28.40%	-0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	61.98%	60.11%	+1.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	76.01%	76.20%	-0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	96.24%	95.56%	+0.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.94%	95.43%	+0.51%

LABD vs. LABU - Expense Ratio Comparison

LABD has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is lower than LABU's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

LABD vs. LABU - Dividend Comparison

LABD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.14%, more than LABU's 0.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LABD Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares	6.14%	6.67%	4.68%	6.13%	0.53%	0.00%	3.94%	1.75%	0.81%	0.00%
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	0.78%	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 LABD and LABU in my portfolio?

LABD and LABU have a correlation of -1.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LABD or LABU?

LABU has higher volatility (28.40%) compared to LABD (28.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LABD dropped -99.99% vs LABU's -99.18%.

Which ETF is better, LABD or LABU?

On 10-year performance, LABU leads with -13.92% vs -55.90% for LABD. On fees, LABD is cheaper at 1.06% per year. On volatility, LABD has been the lower-risk option at 28.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LABD or LABU?

Over the 10-year period, LABU has performed better with a -13.92% return vs -55.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LABD or LABU?

LABD is cheaper with a 1.06% expense ratio, compared with 1.12% for LABU.

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

LABD has the higher dividend yield at 6.14%, compared with 0.78% for LABU.

What is the main difference between LABD and LABU?

LABD tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (-300%), while LABU tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 1.06% for LABD and 1.12% for LABU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs -1.06), 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.