LABU vs VTI
Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LABU or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LABU led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. LABU is less concentrated, with 32.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.93% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $562M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.34% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 325 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +33.35%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +96.63%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +47.83%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -28.40% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 85.1% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $1,882 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.6%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 28, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 28, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.4 years).
LABU 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 11.4 years both funds cover.
LABU vs VTI Performance
Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3X ETF (LABU) 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 LABU returned +96.63% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, LABU is up 33.35% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, LABU compounded at +47.83% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -28.40% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.20% annualized vs -20.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LABU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 85.1% compared with 15.5% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LABU charges 0.93% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $93 vs $3 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LABU currently yields 0.34% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
76.0% of LABU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.2% of VTI's money is in holdings LABU also owns.
Most of LABU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
150 positions in common, counted across the 161 positions we hold weights for in LABU and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 325 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,110 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for LABU (95.4% of the fund), and 6 for LABU that do not appear in VTI (22.4%).
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 LABU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.21% | 0.61% | 0.60% |
| TWSTTwist Bioscience Corp. | 1.74% | 0.01% | 1.73% |
| MRNAModerna | 1.62% | 0.07% | 1.55% |
| NTRANatera Inc | 1.44% | 0.06% | 1.38% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc | 1.19% | 0.31% | 0.88% |
| GILDGild Gilead Sciences Inc. | 1.15% | 0.25% | 0.90% |
| VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc - Common | 1.12% | 0.19% | 0.93% |
| UTHRUnited Therapeutics Corp | 1.23% | 0.03% | 1.20% |
| IOVAIovance Biotherapeutics Inc | 1.25% | 0.00% | 1.25% |
| SYRESpyre Therapeutics Inc | 1.24% | 0.01% | 1.23% |
76.0% of LABU is already inside VTI.
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, LABU or VTI?
LABU has an expense ratio of 0.93% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LABU or VTI?
Over the past year LABU returned +96.63% vs +16.63% for VTI, so LABU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), LABU annualized -20.93% vs +12.20% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LABU or VTI?
LABU has been the more volatile fund at 85.1% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI.
Should I hold both LABU and VTI?
LABU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 VTI?
76.0% of LABU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.2% of VTI's is in holdings LABU also owns. They hold 150 positions in common, counted across the 161 positions we hold weights for in LABU and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, LABU or VTI?
LABU yields 0.34% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LABU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LABU led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. LABU is less concentrated, with 32.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.