AIBU vs QQQ
Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, AIBU or QQQ?
Leverage Strategy against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. AIBU led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.4%.
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 | AIBU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.65% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 76 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +49.03%Best | +21.69% |
| 1Y Return | +30.04%Best | +24.10% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +27.05% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 55.1% | 17.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.2% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $29,307Best | $16,593 |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.4% | 47.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Leverage Strategy | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 15, 2024 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 15, 2024 to Oct 13, 2026 (2.4 years).
AIBU 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 2.4 years both funds cover.
AIBU vs QQQ Performance
Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X ETF (AIBU) 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 AIBU returned +30.04% while QQQ returned +24.10%. Year to date, AIBU is up 49.03% versus a gain of 21.69% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AIBU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 55.1% compared with 17.3% for QQQ. 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 -51.2% for AIBU and -22.8% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AIBU 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, AIBU currently yields 1.65% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
54.8% of AIBU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 43.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings AIBU also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
13 positions in common, counted across the 33 positions we hold weights for in AIBU and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 76 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 83 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for AIBU (53.9% of the fund), and 16 for AIBU that do not appear in QQQ (40.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AIBU | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.66% | 8.45% | 2.79% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.43% | 7.80% | 2.37% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.98% | 5.88% | 1.10% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 5.58% | 4.41% | 1.17% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 5.48% | 3.15% | 2.33% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.25% | 3.71% | 0.46% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.36% | 3.07% | 0.29% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 4.28% | 1.69% | 2.59% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.04% | 2.74% | 0.30% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 3.34% | 2.28% | 1.06% |
54.8% of AIBU is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AIBU or QQQ?
AIBU 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, AIBU or QQQ?
Over the past year AIBU returned +30.04% vs +24.10% for QQQ, so AIBU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AIBU annualized +56.52% vs +23.49% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AIBU or QQQ?
AIBU has been the more volatile fund at 55.1% annualized versus 17.3% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: AIBU -51.2% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both AIBU and QQQ?
AIBU and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AIBU and QQQ?
54.8% of AIBU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 43.9% of QQQ's is in holdings AIBU also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 33 positions we hold weights for in AIBU and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, AIBU or QQQ?
AIBU yields 1.65% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so AIBU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than AIBU?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. AIBU led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.