Browse everything: Tickers A–Z · Issuers · Comparisons · Tags
BABU ETF — Direxion Daily BABA Bull 2X ETF
Direxion Daily BABA Bull 2X ETF (BABU)
Updated October 16, 2026.
Verdict as of October 16, 2026
BABU's distribution is rated unproven by the Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ (50/100, low confidence). It pays quarterly and its distribution rate is 2.21%. The latest total cash payment per current share, $0.049 with an ex-date of September 22, 2026, was unchanged from the previous payment. These payments are unclassified; this does not establish a base-dividend change.
Sources: Direxion, Section 19a-1 notices, scoring methodology.
BABU is an ETF linked to Alibaba Group Holding (BABA). its distribution rate is 2.21%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.65%, its expense ratio is 0.97%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 50/100 (Unproven). Total return is -63.0% over the past 0.7 years, 29.4 points behind BABA at -33.6%.
This ETF seeks to deliver twice the daily performance of Alibaba Group Holding (BABA) through leveraged exposure using swaps, options, and direct holdings of BABA securities. The fund carries a modest current distribution rate paid quarterly and has an expense ratio of 0.97%; as a leveraged product, it is designed for short-term tactical positioning rather than buy-and-hold investing. This security appeals to sophisticated traders and active investors seeking amplified exposure to Alibaba's price movements, though the leverage mechanism resets daily and may not track longer-term multiples of BABA's returns.
BABU dividend yield and income
Price as of 2026-10-16.
The distribution rate (2.21%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Trailing-12-month yield (1.65%) is the last year of cash distributions by ex-date divided by the current price. The dividend amount is $0.049. The ex-dividend date is 09/22/2026. The payment date is 09/29/2026.
| Ex-date | Amount | Change from previous payment |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-22 | $0.049 | 0.0% Unclassified cash |
| 2026-06-23 | $0.049 | 2.1% Unclassified cash |
| 2026-03-24 | $0.048 | — |
| 2026 YTD total | $0.146 | — |
BABU holdings and sector exposure
Holdings are not available for this snapshot.
Economic / reference exposure: BABA (physical holdings below may be collateral and options, not the reference asset itself).
BABU performance versus BABA
Price and return data through 2026-10-16.
Total return is -63.0% over the past 0.7 years, 29.4 points behind BABA at -33.6%.
| Window | Total return | CAGR |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 1.3% | — |
| 3M | -19.5% | — |
| 6M | -45.6% | — |
| YTD | -63.0% | — |
| Since inception (0.7 years) | -63.0% | — |
BABU key facts
- Distribution Safety Score™
- 50 · Unproven
- Issuer
- Direxion
- Asset type
- ETF
- Asset class
- Equity
- Inception date
- 02/10/2026
- Expense ratio
- 0.97%
- Distribution rate
- 2.21%
- Distribution frequency
- Quarterly
- Trailing yield
- 1.65%
- Last close
- $8.86 (as of 2026-10-16)
- AUM
- $6,752,665
- Average volume
- 18232.0
- Dividend
- $0.049
- Ex-dividend date
- 09/22/2026
- Payment date
- 09/29/2026
How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns
Distribution rate (2.21%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.65%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.
Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology
Sources and review
Primary sources: Direxion; Index: Alibaba Group Holding (BABA); prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.
Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.
BABU risks and drawbacks
BABU's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed BABA over the available window.
Who may consider BABU — and who may not
BABU may suit someone looking for moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (BABU pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching BABA total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.
More on BABU
Frequently asked questions
Does BABU pay monthly?
No. BABU currently pays quarterly, not monthly.
What is BABU linked to?
BABU is linked to Alibaba Group Holding (BABA), not a broad market index.
What is BABU's expense ratio?
BABU's expense ratio is 0.97%.
What is BABU's dividend yield?
BABU's distribution rate is 2.21%, paid quarterly, with a 0.97% expense ratio — calculation basis unavailable.
When does BABU pay a dividend?
BABU pays quarterly. The dividend amount is $0.049. The ex-dividend date is 09/22/2026. The payment date is 09/29/2026.
How has BABU performed?
Total return is -63.0% over the past 0.7 years, 29.4 points behind BABA at -33.6%.
Is BABU a good investment?
BABU's Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score is 50 (Unproven). That is a risk signal, not investment advice. Its distribution rate is 2.21% (calculation basis unavailable). Compare peers below rather than treating any single figure as a buy or sell.
More securities from Direxion.
Tickers
Holdings as-of date unavailable.
| Ticker | Name | Weight |
|---|
See how this investment would fit into your portfolio.