PILL vs. BNKU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PILL (Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares) and BNKU (MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs) are both Leveraged Equities funds - PILL tracks the Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index while BNKU tracks the Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PILL returned 102.84% vs 95.35% for BNKU. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PILL charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BNKU.

Performance

PILL vs. BNKU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs (BNKU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PILL achieves a -11.70% return, which is significantly lower than BNKU's 1.62% return.

PILL

• 1D: -8.82%
• 1M: -15.56%
• YTD: -11.70%
• 6M: 6.13%
• 1Y: 102.84%
• 3Y*: 12.92%
• 5Y*: -12.47%
• 10Y*: —

BNKU

• 1D: 4.00%
• 1M: 4.87%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 22.46%
• 1Y: 95.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PILL vs. BNKU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	-11.70%	57.60%
BNKU MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs	1.62%	46.04%

Correlation

The correlation between PILL and BNKU 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2025	0.46

PILL vs. BNKU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PILL	BNKU
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	100.0%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PILL vs. BNKU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PILL

PILL Risk / Return Rank: 52
PILL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PILL Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
PILL Omega Ratio Rank: 41
PILL Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
PILL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

BNKU

BNKU Risk / Return Rank: 43
BNKU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
BNKU Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
BNKU Omega Ratio Rank: 42
BNKU Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
BNKU Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

PILL vs. BNKU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs (BNKU). 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.

	PILL	BNKU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.69	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.09	+0.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.28	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	2.34	+0.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.92	6.22	+4.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PILL vs. BNKU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PILL Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the BNKU Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PILL and BNKU, 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

	PILL	BNKU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.68	1.69	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.21	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.13	0.50	-0.62

Drawdowns

PILL vs. BNKU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PILL drawdown since its inception was -88.76%, which is greater than BNKU's maximum drawdown of -58.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PILL and BNKU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PILL	BNKU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.76%	-58.03%	-30.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.21%	-40.97%	+7.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.43%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-83.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-69.74%	-13.86%	-55.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.53%	-16.56%	-41.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.98%	15.45%	-5.47%

Volatility

PILL vs. BNKU - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) has a higher volatility of 20.61% compared to MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs (BNKU) at 14.25%. This indicates that PILL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BNKU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PILL	BNKU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.61%	14.25%	+6.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	48.73%	44.91%	+3.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.72%	56.59%	+5.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	60.41%	72.91%	-12.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.79%	72.91%	-9.12%

PILL vs. BNKU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PILL has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than BNKU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

PILL vs. BNKU - Dividend Comparison

PILL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.71%, while BNKU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BNKU MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index 3X Leveraged ETNs	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	0.71%	0.69%	1.28%	1.83%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.38%	0.91%	0.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PILL and BNKU in my portfolio?

PILL and BNKU 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, PILL or BNKU?

PILL has higher volatility (20.61%) compared to BNKU (14.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PILL dropped -88.76% vs BNKU's -58.03%.

Which ETF is better, PILL or BNKU?

On 1-year performance, PILL leads with 102.84% vs 95.35% for BNKU. On fees, BNKU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, BNKU has been the lower-risk option at 14.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PILL or BNKU?

Over the 1-year period, PILL has performed better with a 102.84% return vs 95.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PILL or BNKU?

BNKU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for PILL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PILL or BNKU?

PILL has the higher dividend yield at 0.71%, compared with 0.00% for BNKU.

What is the main difference between PILL and BNKU?

PILL tracks Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index, while BNKU tracks Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Bank of Montreal. Their fees differ too: 0.98% for PILL and 0.95% for BNKU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BNKU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.68), 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.