OILU vs. LABU
OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN) and LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - OILU is a Leveraged Commodities fund managed by BMO, while LABU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). Over the past 3 years, OILU returned 2.53%/yr vs 29.63%/yr for LABU. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. OILU charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for LABU.
Performance
OILU vs. LABU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, OILU achieves a 84.54% return, which is significantly higher than LABU's 66.91% return.
OILU
- 1D
- 2.86%
- 1M
- 27.28%
- 6M
- 58.40%
- YTD
- 84.54%
- 1Y
- 100.47%
- 3Y*
- 2.53%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 12.00%
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%
OILU vs. LABU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN | 84.54% | -16.50% | -21.65% | -32.50% | 151.08% | -16.79% |
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares | 66.91% | 79.17% | -26.02% | -13.41% | -80.36% | -40.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between OILU and LABU is -0.16, 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 | -0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021 | 0.15 |
The correlation between OILU and LABU shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to 0.15 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
OILU vs. LABU — Risk / Return Rank
OILU
LABU
OILU vs. LABU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) and Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU). 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.
| OILU | LABU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.63 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.61 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.44 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.17 | 10.92 | -8.74 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.47 | 29.77 | -24.31 |
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Drawdowns
OILU vs. LABU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum OILU drawdown since its inception was -81.00%, smaller than the maximum LABU drawdown of -99.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OILU and LABU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| OILU | LABU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -81.00% | -99.18% | +18.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -46.49% | -30.70% | -15.79% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -69.09% | -78.30% | +9.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -97.36% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -98.96% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -50.37% | -94.12% | +43.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -50.70% | -81.80% | +31.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 18.45% | 11.23% | +7.22% |
Volatility
OILU vs. LABU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) is 17.88%, while Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) has a volatility of 25.93%. This indicates that OILU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LABU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| OILU | LABU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.88% | 25.93% | -8.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 51.06% | 63.96% | -12.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 63.84% | 79.49% | -15.65% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 80.86% | 96.11% | -15.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 80.86% | 95.24% | -14.38% |
OILU vs. LABU - Expense Ratio Comparison
OILU has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than LABU's 0.96% expense ratio.
Dividends
OILU vs. LABU - Dividend Comparison
OILU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while LABU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
OILU and LABU have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
LABU has higher volatility (25.93%) compared to OILU (17.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OILU dropped -81.00% vs LABU's -99.18%.
On 3-year performance, LABU leads with 29.63% vs 2.53% for OILU. On fees, OILU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, OILU has been the lower-risk option at 17.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, LABU has performed better with a 29.63% return vs 2.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
OILU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for LABU.
LABU has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.00% for OILU.
OILU is categorized as Leveraged Commodities, while LABU is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: BMO and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for OILU and 0.96% for LABU.
LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.22 vs 1.59), 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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