AAPU vs VTI
Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AAPU or VTI?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AAPU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AAPU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $158M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.85% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 22 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +35.06%Best | +14.72% |
| 1Y Return | +45.60%Best | +16.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.26%Best | +22.93% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.78% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 41.8% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.9% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $20,815Best | $19,771 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 9, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 9, 2022 to Oct 6, 2026 (4.2 years).
AAPU vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.2 years both funds cover.
AAPU vs VTI Performance
Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X ETF (AAPU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AAPU returned +45.60% while VTI returned +16.82%. Year to date, AAPU is up 35.06% versus a gain of 14.72% for VTI.
Over three years, AAPU compounded at +26.26% per year against +22.93% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, AAPU has the edge at +19.07% annualized vs +17.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AAPU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 41.8% compared with 14.4% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -59.9% for AAPU and -19.3% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AAPU charges 0.96% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $3 annually, a gap of $93 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AAPU currently yields 6.85% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 6.3% of VTI's money is in holdings AAPU also owns.
Stated as a floor: for AAPU, our book for it covers 89.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and AAPU share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, AAPU as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in AAPU and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 22 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AAPU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 20.99% | 6.29% | 14.70% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AAPU and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AAPU or VTI?
AAPU has an expense ratio of 0.96% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $93 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AAPU or VTI?
Over the past year AAPU returned +45.60% vs +16.82% for VTI, so AAPU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), AAPU annualized +19.07% vs +17.62% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AAPU or VTI?
AAPU has been the more volatile fund at 41.8% annualized versus 14.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AAPU -59.9% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both AAPU and VTI?
AAPU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AAPU and VTI?
At least 6.3% of VTI's money is in holdings AAPU also owns. Our book for AAPU is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in AAPU and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AAPU or VTI?
AAPU yields 6.85% while VTI yields 1.03%, so AAPU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AAPU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AAPU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.