VRTL vs. AAPU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VRTL (GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF) and AAPU (Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds. VRTL is actively managed, while AAPU is passively managed. Over the past year, VRTL returned 343.57% vs 85.62% for AAPU. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VRTL charges 1.50%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for AAPU.

Performance

VRTL vs. AAPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF (VRTL) and Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRTL achieves a 187.83% return, which is significantly higher than AAPU's 9.14% return.

VRTL

• 1D: -22.65%
• 1M: -11.35%
• YTD: 187.83%
• 6M: 172.02%
• 1Y: 343.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AAPU

• 1D: -2.33%
• 1M: -10.69%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 8.52%
• 1Y: 85.62%
• 3Y*: 19.25%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VRTL vs. AAPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VRTL GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF	187.83%	110.50%
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	9.14%	30.52%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTL and AAPU is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2025	0.29

VRTL vs. AAPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VRTL	AAPU
Industrials	66.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VRTL vs. AAPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTL

VRTL Risk / Return Rank: 83
VRTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VRTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VRTL Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VRTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VRTL Martin Ratio Rank: 87

AAPU

AAPU Risk / Return Rank: 56
AAPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
AAPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AAPU Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AAPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
AAPU Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

VRTL vs. AAPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF (VRTL) and Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU). 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.

	VRTL	AAPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	1.91	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	2.56	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.33	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.30	2.98	+4.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.10	7.03	+10.07

VRTL vs. AAPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTL Sharpe Ratio is 2.89, which is higher than the AAPU Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTL and AAPU, 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

VRTL vs. AAPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTL drawdown since its inception was -60.58%, roughly equal to the maximum AAPU drawdown of -58.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTL and AAPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTL	AAPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.58%	-58.61%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-47.45%	-28.90%	-18.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-58.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.92%	-14.08%	-19.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.93%	-17.59%	+1.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.20%	12.22%	+7.98%

Volatility

VRTL vs. AAPU - Volatility Comparison

GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF (VRTL) has a higher volatility of 43.78% compared to Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) at 14.03%. This indicates that VRTL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AAPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTL	AAPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	43.78%	14.03%	+29.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	92.17%	33.29%	+58.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	119.83%	45.19%	+74.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	126.87%	48.91%	+77.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	126.87%	48.91%	+77.96%

VRTL vs. AAPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRTL has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than AAPU's 1.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VRTL vs. AAPU - Dividend Comparison

VRTL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AAPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.79%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	7.79%	8.66%	14.58%	2.32%	0.79%
VRTL GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRTL and AAPU in my portfolio?

VRTL and AAPU have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRTL or AAPU?

VRTL has higher volatility (43.78%) compared to AAPU (14.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTL dropped -60.58% vs AAPU's -58.61%.

Which ETF is better, VRTL or AAPU?

On 1-year performance, VRTL leads with 343.57% vs 85.62% for AAPU. On fees, AAPU is cheaper at 1.04% per year. On volatility, AAPU has been the lower-risk option at 14.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VRTL or AAPU?

Over the 1-year period, VRTL has performed better with a 343.57% return vs 85.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VRTL or AAPU?

AAPU is cheaper with a 1.04% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for VRTL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VRTL or AAPU?

AAPU has the higher dividend yield at 7.79%, compared with 0.00% for VRTL.

What is the main difference between VRTL and AAPU?

They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 1.50% for VRTL and 1.04% for AAPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 1.91), 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.