VSTL vs. LABU

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VSTL (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF) and LABU (Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds. VSTL is actively managed, while LABU is passively managed. Over the past year, VSTL returned -66.54% vs 272.05% for LABU. Their 0.17 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VSTL charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for LABU.

Performance

VSTL vs. LABU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) 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, VSTL achieves a -35.33% return, which is significantly lower than LABU's 42.67% return.

VSTL

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -6.33%
• 6M: -28.91%
• YTD: -35.33%
• 1Y: -66.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -58.65%

LABU

• 1D: -8.60%
• 1M: -25.06%
• 6M: 37.10%
• YTD: 42.67%
• 1Y: 272.05%
• 3Y*: 25.64%
• 5Y*: -26.71%
• 10Y*: -12.33%
• ALL TIME*: -20.62%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	$76.19M	$116.75M	$118.31M
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	$651.64K	$708.80K	$1.90M

VSTL vs. LABU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	-35.33%	-37.40%
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	42.67%	159.18%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTL and LABU is 0.17, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2025	0.17

Return for Risk

VSTL vs. LABU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VSTL

VSTL Risk / Return Rank: 3
VSTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
VSTL Martin Ratio Rank: 1

LABU

LABU Risk / Return Rank: 94
LABU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
LABU Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
LABU Omega Ratio Rank: 88
LABU Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
LABU Martin Ratio Rank: 96

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VSTL vs. LABU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) 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.

	VSTL	LABU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.69	3.45	-4.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.87	3.30	-4.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.39	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.94	9.00	-9.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	23.05	-24.42

VSTL vs. LABU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTL Sharpe Ratio is -0.69, which is lower than the LABU Sharpe Ratio of 3.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTL 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

VSTL vs. LABU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTL drawdown since its inception was -71.42%, smaller than the maximum LABU drawdown of -99.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTL and LABU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTL	LABU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.42%	-99.18%	+27.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-71.42%	-30.70%	-40.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-78.30%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-97.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-98.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-68.28%	-94.97%	+26.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.67%	-81.83%	+38.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	48.96%	11.97%	+36.99%

Volatility

VSTL vs. LABU - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) has a higher volatility of 25.95% compared to Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares (LABU) at 24.69%. This indicates that VSTL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LABU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTL	LABU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.95%	24.69%	+1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	68.40%	63.73%	+4.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	97.01%	80.28%	+16.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	97.03%	96.01%	+1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	97.03%	95.22%	+1.81%

VSTL vs. LABU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTL has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than LABU's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSTL vs. LABU - Dividend Comparison

VSTL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while LABU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LABU Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares	0.45%	0.84%	0.35%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.28%	0.64%	0.17%
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTL and LABU in my portfolio?

VSTL and LABU have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTL or LABU?

VSTL has higher volatility (25.95%) compared to LABU (24.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTL dropped -71.42% vs LABU's -99.18%.

Which ETF is better, VSTL or LABU?

On 1-year performance, LABU leads with 272.05% vs -66.54% for VSTL. On fees, LABU is cheaper at 0.96% per year. On volatility, LABU has been the lower-risk option at 24.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VSTL or LABU?

Over the 1-year period, LABU has performed better with a 272.05% return vs -66.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSTL or LABU?

LABU is cheaper with a 0.96% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for VSTL.

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

LABU has the higher dividend yield at 0.45%, compared with 0.00% for VSTL.

What is the main difference between VSTL and LABU?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for VSTL and 0.96% for LABU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.45 vs -0.69), 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.