LABD vs. VYM
LABD (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LABD is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (-300%), while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LABD returned -58.05%/yr vs 11.51%/yr for VYM. At a correlation of -0.47, they often move in opposite directions. LABD charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
LABD vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LABD achieves a -58.72% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 13.43% return. Over the past 10 years, LABD has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of -58.05%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.51% annualized return.
LABD
- 1D
- 8.60%
- 1M
- -31.85%
- 6M
- -55.64%
- YTD
- -58.72%
- 1Y
- -85.70%
- 3Y*
- -58.22%
- 5Y*
- -47.09%
- 10Y*
- -58.05%
VYM
- 1D
- 0.47%
- 1M
- 0.89%
- 6M
- 9.47%
- YTD
- 13.43%
- 1Y
- 22.93%
- 3Y*
- 17.89%
- 5Y*
- 12.32%
- 10Y*
- 11.51%
LABD vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LABD Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares | -58.72% | -70.07% | -21.43% | -41.77% | -32.68% | 1.86% | -89.75% | -70.80% | -6.26% | -75.67% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 13.43% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between LABD and VYM is -0.38, 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 | -0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.50 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.49 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 28, 2015 | -0.47 |
The correlation between LABD and VYM shifts across timeframes, from -0.50 (3 years) to -0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
LABD vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
LABD
VYM
LABD vs. VYM - 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 Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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.
| LABD | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -5.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.72 | 1.41 | -0.70 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.96 | 3.44 | -4.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.33 | 12.78 | -14.11 |
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Drawdowns
LABD vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LABD drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than VYM's maximum drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LABD and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LABD | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -100.00% | -56.98% | -43.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -89.59% | -6.69% | -82.90% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -97.43% | -14.46% | -82.97% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -99.04% | -15.84% | -83.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -99.99% | -35.21% | -64.78% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -99.99% | -0.13% | -99.86% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -91.04% | -7.16% | -83.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 64.54% | 1.80% | +62.74% |
Volatility
LABD vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares (LABD) has a higher volatility of 25.77% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 1.86%. This indicates that LABD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LABD | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 25.77% | 1.86% | +23.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 65.70% | 7.47% | +58.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 79.35% | 10.21% | +69.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 96.77% | 13.90% | +82.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 95.75% | 16.28% | +79.47% |
LABD vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
LABD has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
LABD vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison
LABD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.61%, more than VYM's 2.26% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LABD Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares | 7.61% | 6.67% | 4.68% | 6.13% | 0.53% | 0.00% | 3.94% | 1.75% | 0.81% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.26% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LABD and VYM have a correlation of -0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
LABD has higher volatility (25.77%) compared to VYM (1.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LABD dropped -100.00% vs VYM's -56.98%.
On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.51% vs -58.05% for LABD. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 1.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.51% return vs -58.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for LABD.
LABD has the higher dividend yield at 7.61%, compared with 2.26% for VYM.
LABD is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VYM is Dividend. LABD tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (-300%), while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for LABD and 0.04% for VYM.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs -1.08), 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.
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