UBOT vs. RETL

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

UBOT (Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares) and RETL (Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - UBOT is a Robotics fund tracking the Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index (300%), while RETL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UBOT returned -10.84%/yr vs -26.39%/yr for RETL. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. UBOT charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for RETL.

Performance

UBOT vs. RETL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT) and Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UBOT achieves a -14.56% return, which is significantly lower than RETL's 0.69% return.

UBOT

• 1D: 3.58%
• 1M: -18.55%
• 6M: -18.05%
• YTD: -14.56%
• 1Y: -1.35%
• 3Y*: -0.24%
• 5Y*: -10.84%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -7.19%

RETL

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 6.66%
• 6M: -9.95%
• YTD: 0.69%
• 1Y: 8.84%
• 3Y*: 7.18%
• 5Y*: -26.39%
• 10Y*: -5.07%
• ALL TIME*: 14.64%

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

UBOT vs. RETL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
UBOT Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares	-14.56%	13.42%	12.02%	72.59%	-72.45%	9.78%	80.13%	87.34%	-71.74%
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares	0.69%	-5.98%	9.59%	33.62%	-80.80%	101.03%	63.63%	23.41%	-31.87%

Correlation

The correlation between UBOT and RETL is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2018	0.60

The correlation between UBOT and RETL shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.61 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

UBOT vs. RETL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UBOT	RETL
Industrials	50.8%	-
Technology	30.8%	2.7%
Healthcare	8.0%	1.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.2%	75.2%
Communication Services	4.2%	1.8%
Financial Services	0.9%	-
Energy	0.5%	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	18.7%
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Utilities	0.0%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

UBOT vs. RETL — Risk / Return Rank

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

UBOT

UBOT Risk / Return Rank: 11
UBOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
UBOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
UBOT Omega Ratio Rank: 12
UBOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
UBOT Martin Ratio Rank: 10

RETL

RETL Risk / Return Rank: 15
RETL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
RETL Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
RETL Omega Ratio Rank: 16
RETL Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
RETL Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

UBOT vs. RETL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT) and Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL). 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.

	UBOT	RETL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.03	0.15	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.34	0.67	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.07	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.04	0.23	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.10	0.46	-0.55

UBOT vs. RETL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UBOT Sharpe Ratio is -0.03, which is lower than the RETL Sharpe Ratio of 0.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UBOT and RETL, 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

UBOT vs. RETL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UBOT drawdown since its inception was -86.24%, smaller than the maximum RETL drawdown of -92.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UBOT and RETL.

Drawdown Indicators

	UBOT	RETL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.24%	-92.00%	+5.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.90%	-38.08%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-51.64%	-62.72%	+11.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-82.90%	-92.00%	+9.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-92.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-58.63%	-82.71%	+24.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-49.86%	-37.90%	-11.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.95%	19.41%	-5.46%

Volatility

UBOT vs. RETL - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT) has a higher volatility of 19.42% compared to Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) at 14.91%. This indicates that UBOT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RETL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UBOT	RETL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.42%	14.91%	+4.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.46%	43.05%	-0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.53%	61.10%	-8.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	53.88%	79.29%	-25.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.57%	79.96%	-16.39%

UBOT vs. RETL - Expense Ratio Comparison

UBOT has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than RETL's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

UBOT vs. RETL - Dividend Comparison

UBOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, more than RETL's 0.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares	0.50%	0.58%	1.13%	1.35%	0.71%	0.22%	0.19%	0.92%	1.19%	0.01%	2.60%
UBOT Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares	1.15%	0.78%	1.45%	0.65%	0.00%	2.25%	15.83%	0.55%	0.33%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UBOT and RETL in my portfolio?

UBOT and RETL have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UBOT or RETL?

UBOT has higher volatility (19.42%) compared to RETL (14.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UBOT dropped -86.24% vs RETL's -92.00%.

Which ETF is better, UBOT or RETL?

On 5-year performance, UBOT leads with -10.84% vs -26.39% for RETL. On fees, RETL is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, RETL has been the lower-risk option at 14.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UBOT or RETL?

Over the 5-year period, UBOT has performed better with a -10.84% return vs -26.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UBOT or RETL?

RETL is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for UBOT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UBOT or RETL?

UBOT has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.50% for RETL.

What is the main difference between UBOT and RETL?

UBOT is categorized as Robotics, while RETL is Leveraged Equities. UBOT tracks Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index (300%), while RETL tracks Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 1.29% for UBOT and 0.99% for RETL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RETL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.15 vs -0.03), 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.