UTSL vs. LABU

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) and LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - UTSL tracks the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%) while LABU tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UTSL returned 8.66%/yr vs -34.35%/yr for LABU. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UTSL charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for LABU.

Performance

UTSL vs. LABU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) and Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UTSL achieves a 6.35% return, which is significantly lower than LABU's 12.06% return.

UTSL

• 1D: 3.20%
• 1M: 2.56%
• YTD: 6.35%
• 6M: 6.90%
• 1Y: 20.28%
• 3Y*: 20.77%
• 5Y*: 8.66%
• 10Y*: —

LABU

• 1D: 2.37%
• 1M: 3.51%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 207.12%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: -34.35%
• 10Y*: -11.11%

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

UTSL vs. LABU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	6.35%	29.03%	54.24%	-35.55%	-14.06%	48.16%	-38.58%	81.07%	-2.27%	11.00%
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%	54.45%

Correlation

The correlation between UTSL and LABU is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017	0.18

The correlation between UTSL and LABU shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.23 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

UTSL vs. LABU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UTSL	LABU
Utilities	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.3%
Healthcare	-	99.7%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

UTSL vs. LABU — Risk / Return Rank

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

UTSL

UTSL Risk / Return Rank: 17
UTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
UTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
UTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 18
UTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
UTSL Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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

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.

UTSL vs. LABU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) 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.

	UTSL	LABU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	2.57	-2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.83	2.89	-2.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.34	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.64	6.49	-5.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.30	18.31	-17.00

UTSL vs. LABU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UTSL Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the LABU Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UTSL 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

UTSL vs. LABU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UTSL drawdown since its inception was -79.55%, smaller than the maximum LABU drawdown of -99.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTSL and LABU.

Drawdown Indicators

	UTSL	LABU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.55%	-99.18%	+19.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.45%	-30.70%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.22%	-78.30%	+32.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-68.01%	-97.59%	+29.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-98.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.69%	-96.05%	+74.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.19%	-81.69%	+48.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.87%	10.91%	+2.96%

Volatility

UTSL vs. LABU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) is 17.03%, while Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) has a volatility of 31.31%. This indicates that UTSL 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

	UTSL	LABU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.03%	31.31%	-14.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.33%	61.52%	-26.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.73%	77.69%	-33.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.08%	95.70%	-43.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	59.23%	95.45%	-36.22%

UTSL vs. LABU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

UTSL vs. LABU - Dividend Comparison

UTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, more than LABU's 0.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	1.71%	1.69%	1.61%	3.61%	1.15%	1.19%	1.40%	5.01%	1.46%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UTSL and LABU in my portfolio?

UTSL and LABU have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UTSL or LABU?

LABU has higher volatility (31.31%) compared to UTSL (17.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTSL dropped -79.55% vs LABU's -99.18%.

Which ETF is better, UTSL or LABU?

On 5-year performance, UTSL leads with 8.66% vs -34.35% for LABU. On fees, UTSL is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, UTSL has been the lower-risk option at 17.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UTSL or LABU?

Over the 5-year period, UTSL has performed better with a 8.66% return vs -34.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UTSL or LABU?

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

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

UTSL has the higher dividend yield at 1.71%, compared with 0.69% for LABU.

What is the main difference between UTSL and LABU?

UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%), while LABU tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 0.99% for UTSL and 1.12% for LABU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 0.42), 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.