LABU vs QQQ
Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3X ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, LABU or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. LABU led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y 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 | LABU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $569M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.45% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 165 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +92.73%Best | +17.54% |
| 1Y Return | +294.12%Best | +25.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +45.74%Best | +24.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -25.48% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 85.0% | 18.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $2,298 | $19,407Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 28, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 28, 2015 to Sep 4, 2026 (11.3 years).
LABU vs QQQ 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 11.3 years both funds cover.
LABU vs QQQ Performance
Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3X ETF (LABU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year LABU returned +294.12% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, LABU is up 92.73% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, LABU compounded at +45.74% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -25.48% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.39% annualized vs -18.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LABU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 85.0% compared with 18.9% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
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
LABU charges 0.96% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $18 annually, a gap of $78 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LABU currently yields 0.45% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings LABU also owns.
Stated as a floor: for LABU, our book for it covers 94.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and LABU share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 151 positions we hold weights for in LABU and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 165 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LABU and QQQ 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, LABU or QQQ?
LABU has an expense ratio of 0.96% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $78 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LABU or QQQ?
Over the past year LABU returned +294.12% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so LABU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), LABU annualized -18.49% vs +18.39% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LABU or QQQ?
LABU has been the more volatile fund at 85.0% annualized versus 18.9% for QQQ.
Should I hold both LABU and QQQ?
LABU and QQQ 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 LABU and QQQ?
At least 2.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings LABU also owns. Our book for LABU is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 151 positions we hold weights for in LABU and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, LABU or QQQ?
LABU yields 0.45% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so LABU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than LABU?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. LABU led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.