LABU vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LABU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%), while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LABU returned -13.92%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LABU charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

LABU vs. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LABU achieves a -0.77% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, LABU has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of -13.92%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

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%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

LABU vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between LABU and SPY is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2015	0.57

The correlation between LABU and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

LABU vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LABU	SPY
Healthcare	99.8%	8.4%
Financial Services	0.2%	11.8%
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

LABU vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	LABU	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	2.52	+0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	3.42	-0.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.46	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.09	3.42	+3.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.95	15.93	+5.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LABU vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LABU Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LABU and SPY, 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

	LABU	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	2.52	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.35	0.84	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.15	0.87	-1.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.24	0.59	-0.83

Drawdowns

LABU vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LABU drawdown since its inception was -99.18%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LABU and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	LABU	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.18%	-55.19%	-43.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.70%	-8.88%	-21.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.30%	-18.76%	-59.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.59%	-24.50%	-73.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.96%	-33.72%	-65.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.50%	0.00%	-96.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-81.67%	-9.05%	-72.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.40%	1.91%	+8.49%

Volatility

LABU vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) has a higher volatility of 28.40% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that LABU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LABU	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	28.40%	2.75%	+25.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	60.11%	8.89%	+51.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	76.20%	11.81%	+64.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	95.56%	17.05%	+78.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.43%	17.94%	+77.49%

LABU vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

LABU has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

LABU vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

LABU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, less than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LABU and SPY in my portfolio?

LABU and SPY have a correlation of 0.52, 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 SPY?

LABU has higher volatility (28.40%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LABU dropped -99.18% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, LABU or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs -13.92% for LABU. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LABU or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs -13.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LABU or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 1.12% for LABU.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.78% for LABU.

What is the main difference between LABU and SPY?

LABU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. LABU tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%), while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.12% for LABU and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.52), 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.