LABU vs. IBIT

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LABU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%), while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, LABU returned 207.12% vs -39.67% for IBIT. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LABU charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

LABU vs. IBIT - 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 iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LABU achieves a 12.06% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -27.41% return.

LABU

• 1D: 2.37%
• 1M: -6.16%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 207.12%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: -34.35%
• 10Y*: -11.11%

IBIT

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -21.94%
• YTD: -27.41%
• 6M: -29.61%
• 1Y: -39.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LABU vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	12.06%	79.17%	-32.73%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-27.41%	-6.41%	89.87%

Correlation

The correlation between LABU and IBIT is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.33

Return for Risk

LABU vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

LABU

LABU Risk / Return Rank: 83
LABU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
LABU Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
LABU Omega Ratio Rank: 66
LABU Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
LABU Martin Ratio Rank: 90

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 3
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 3
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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. IBIT - 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 iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	-0.92	+3.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	-1.30	+4.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	0.85	+0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.49	-0.78	+7.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.31	-1.37	+19.68

LABU vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LABU Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LABU and IBIT, 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. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LABU drawdown since its inception was -99.18%, which is greater than IBIT's maximum drawdown of -52.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LABU and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	LABU	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.18%	-52.11%	-47.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.70%	-52.11%	+21.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.30%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.59%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.05%	-49.45%	-46.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-81.69%	-16.53%	-65.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.91%	29.64%	-18.73%

Volatility

LABU vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) has a higher volatility of 31.31% compared to iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) at 12.07%. This indicates that LABU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LABU	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	31.31%	12.07%	+19.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	61.52%	34.45%	+27.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	77.69%	44.10%	+33.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	95.70%	50.26%	+45.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.45%	50.26%	+45.19%

LABU vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

LABU has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

LABU vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

LABU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	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	0.69%	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 IBIT in my portfolio?

LABU and IBIT have a correlation of 0.34, 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 IBIT?

LABU has higher volatility (31.31%) compared to IBIT (12.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LABU dropped -99.18% vs IBIT's -52.11%.

Which ETF is better, LABU or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, LABU leads with 207.12% vs -39.67% for IBIT. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IBIT has been the lower-risk option at 12.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LABU or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, LABU has performed better with a 207.12% return vs -39.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LABU or IBIT?

IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.12% for LABU.

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

LABU has the higher dividend yield at 0.69%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between LABU and IBIT?

LABU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. LABU tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%), while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.12% for LABU and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs -0.92), 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.