QQQY vs. LABU

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) and LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while LABU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). QQQY is actively managed, while LABU is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQY returned 34.98% vs 224.16% for LABU. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQY charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for LABU.

Performance

QQQY vs. LABU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) and Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with QQQY having a 18.97% return and LABU slightly lower at 18.28%.

QQQY

• 1D: 3.07%
• 1M: 4.23%
• YTD: 18.97%
• 6M: 19.80%
• 1Y: 34.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

LABU

• 1D: 5.55%
• 1M: 9.25%
• YTD: 18.28%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 224.16%
• 3Y*: 11.36%
• 5Y*: -32.95%
• 10Y*: -10.06%

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

QQQY vs. LABU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	18.97%	14.96%	7.70%	7.19%
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	18.28%	79.17%	-26.02%	29.54%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQY and LABU is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.46

Return for Risk

QQQY vs. LABU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 76
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

LABU

LABU Risk / Return Rank: 85
LABU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
LABU Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
LABU Omega Ratio Rank: 67
LABU Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
LABU Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

QQQY vs. LABU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) 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.

	QQQY	LABU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.90	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	3.07	-0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.36	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	7.35	-4.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.91	20.69	-7.78

QQQY vs. LABU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQY Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the LABU Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQY and LABU, 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

QQQY vs. LABU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQY drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, smaller than the maximum LABU drawdown of -99.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQY and LABU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQY	LABU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-99.18%	+80.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-30.70%	+19.56%
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	-0.45%	-95.83%	+95.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.92%	-81.69%	+78.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	10.89%	-8.17%

Volatility

QQQY vs. LABU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) is 7.60%, while Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) has a volatility of 31.78%. This indicates that QQQY 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.

Volatility by Period

	QQQY	LABU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.60%	31.78%	-24.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.19%	61.71%	-48.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.20%	77.92%	-62.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.22%	95.71%	-80.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.22%	95.50%	-80.28%

QQQY vs. LABU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than LABU's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQY vs. LABU - Dividend Comparison

QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 34.34%, more than LABU's 0.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	0.65%	0.84%	0.35%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.28%	0.64%	0.17%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	34.34%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQY and LABU in my portfolio?

QQQY and LABU have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQY or LABU?

LABU has higher volatility (31.78%) compared to QQQY (7.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQY dropped -19.05% vs LABU's -99.18%.

Which ETF is better, QQQY or LABU?

On 1-year performance, LABU leads with 224.16% vs 34.98% for QQQY. On fees, QQQY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, QQQY has been the lower-risk option at 7.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQY or LABU?

Over the 1-year period, LABU has performed better with a 224.16% return vs 34.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQY or LABU?

QQQY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.12% for LABU.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 34.34%, compared with 0.65% for LABU.

What is the main difference between QQQY and LABU?

QQQY is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while LABU is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for QQQY and 1.12% for LABU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 2.32), 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.