LABU vs. UNH

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%), while UNH (UnitedHealth Group Incorporated) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, LABU returned -11.11%/yr vs 13.32%/yr for UNH. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

LABU vs. UNH - 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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). 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 lower than UNH's 24.71% return. Over the past 10 years, LABU has underperformed UNH with an annualized return of -11.11%, while UNH has yielded a comparatively higher 13.32% annualized 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%

UNH

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 3.72%
• YTD: 24.71%
• 6M: 20.44%
• 1Y: 33.97%
• 3Y*: -4.10%
• 5Y*: 2.27%
• 10Y*: 13.32%

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

LABU vs. UNH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	12.06%	79.17%	-26.02%	-13.41%	-80.36%	-64.15%	74.66%	75.50%	-57.61%	149.12%
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated	24.71%	-33.14%	-2.41%	0.80%	6.94%	45.20%	21.25%	20.00%	14.52%	39.83%

Correlation

The correlation between LABU and UNH is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 28, 2015	0.29

The correlation between LABU and UNH shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (3 years) to 0.29 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

LABU vs. UNH — 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

UNH

UNH Risk / Return Rank: 66
UNH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
UNH Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
UNH Omega Ratio Rank: 67
UNH Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
UNH Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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. UNH - 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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). 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	UNH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	0.80	+1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	1.26	+1.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.19	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.49	1.11	+5.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.31	2.43	+15.88

LABU vs. UNH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LABU Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is higher than the UNH Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LABU and UNH, 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. UNH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LABU drawdown since its inception was -99.18%, which is greater than UNH's maximum drawdown of -74.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LABU and UNH.

Drawdown Indicators

	LABU	UNH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.18%	-74.37%	-24.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.70%	-28.96%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.30%	-61.39%	-16.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.59%	-61.39%	-36.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.96%	-61.39%	-37.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.05%	-32.27%	-63.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-81.69%	-14.77%	-66.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.91%	13.19%	-2.28%

Volatility

LABU vs. UNH - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) has a higher volatility of 31.31% compared to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) at 7.60%. This indicates that LABU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UNH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LABU	UNH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	31.31%	7.60%	+23.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	61.52%	30.86%	+30.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	77.69%	40.10%	+37.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	95.70%	31.87%	+63.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.45%	30.18%	+65.27%

Dividends

LABU vs. UNH - Dividend Comparison

LABU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%, less than UNH's 2.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated	2.16%	2.64%	1.62%	1.38%	1.21%	1.12%	1.38%	1.41%	1.38%	1.30%	1.48%	1.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LABU and UNH in my portfolio?

LABU and UNH have a correlation of 0.23, 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 UNH?

LABU has higher volatility (31.31%) compared to UNH (7.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LABU dropped -99.18% vs UNH's -74.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 0.80), 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.