LABU vs. FLYU

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) and FLYU (MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs) are both Leveraged Equities funds - LABU tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%) while FLYU tracks the MerQube MicroSectors U.S. Travel Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LABU returned 29.63%/yr vs -1.34%/yr for FLYU. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LABU charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FLYU.

Performance

LABU vs. FLYU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LABU achieves a 66.91% return, which is significantly higher than FLYU's -17.85% return.

LABU

• 1D: 6.80%
• 1M: 28.60%
• 6M: 56.58%
• YTD: 66.91%
• 1Y: 332.58%
• 3Y*: 29.63%
• 5Y*: -26.04%
• 10Y*: -9.42%
• ALL TIME*: -19.54%

FLYU

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -9.91%
• 6M: -9.30%
• YTD: -17.85%
• 1Y: -22.80%
• 3Y*: -1.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.87%

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

LABU vs. FLYU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	66.91%	79.17%	-26.02%	-13.41%	22.96%
FLYU MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs	-17.85%	-2.29%	33.00%	111.16%	-19.09%

Correlation

The correlation between LABU and FLYU is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2022	0.50

The correlation between LABU and FLYU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.40 to 0.50 - a consistent structural relationship.

LABU vs. FLYU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LABU	FLYU
Healthcare	99.5%	-
Financial Services	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	13.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	52.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	17.7%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	16.4%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

LABU vs. FLYU — Risk / Return Rank

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

LABU

LABU Risk / Return Rank: 95
LABU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
LABU Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
LABU Omega Ratio Rank: 90
LABU Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
LABU Martin Ratio Rank: 97

FLYU

FLYU Risk / Return Rank: 7
FLYU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
FLYU Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
FLYU Omega Ratio Rank: 9
FLYU Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
FLYU Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

LABU vs. FLYU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) and MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs (FLYU). 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.

	LABU	FLYU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.22	-0.31	+4.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	0.03	+3.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.00	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.92	-0.44	+11.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.77	-0.88	+30.65

LABU vs. FLYU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LABU Sharpe Ratio is 4.22, which is higher than the FLYU Sharpe Ratio of -0.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LABU and FLYU, 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

LABU vs. FLYU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LABU drawdown since its inception was -99.18%, which is greater than FLYU's maximum drawdown of -69.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LABU and FLYU.

Drawdown Indicators

	LABU	FLYU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.18%	-69.00%	-30.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.70%	-52.33%	+21.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.30%	-69.00%	-9.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-94.12%	-34.84%	-59.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-81.80%	-26.59%	-55.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.23%	25.94%	-14.71%

Volatility

LABU vs. FLYU - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) has a higher volatility of 25.93% compared to MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs (FLYU) at 17.61%. This indicates that LABU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FLYU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LABU	FLYU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.93%	17.61%	+8.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	63.96%	61.02%	+2.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	79.49%	74.53%	+4.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	96.11%	82.89%	+13.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.24%	82.89%	+12.35%

LABU vs. FLYU - Expense Ratio Comparison

LABU has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than FLYU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

LABU vs. FLYU - Dividend Comparison

LABU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, while FLYU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLYU MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	0.38%	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 LABU and FLYU in my portfolio?

LABU and FLYU have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LABU or FLYU?

LABU has higher volatility (25.93%) compared to FLYU (17.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LABU dropped -99.18% vs FLYU's -69.00%.

Which ETF is better, LABU or FLYU?

On 3-year performance, LABU leads with 29.63% vs -1.34% for FLYU. On fees, FLYU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, FLYU has been the lower-risk option at 17.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LABU or FLYU?

Over the 3-year period, LABU has performed better with a 29.63% return vs -1.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LABU or FLYU?

FLYU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for LABU.

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

LABU has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.00% for FLYU.

What is the main difference between LABU and FLYU?

LABU tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%), while FLYU tracks MerQube MicroSectors U.S. Travel Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and REX. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for LABU and 0.95% for FLYU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.22 vs -0.31), 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.