Trade the $650 Billion AI and Big Data Surge with 2X Leverage

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AI and big data spending are accelerating much faster than most expected. According to a recent report by Bridgewater Associates, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are on pace to collectively invest approximately $650 billion in AI-related infrastructure in 2026, up from $410 billion in 2025.

Because demand continues to outpace supply, hyperscalers are responding by spending more aggressively to stay ahead.

At the same time, Bridgewater flagged that the same AI advances driving hyperscaler spending are creating disruption risk for enterprise software companies and data providers. Different parts of the AI trade are pulling in different directions, and that divergence is generating significant day-to-day volatility across the market.

For traders aiming to capitalize on trends, pinpointing the winning sub-sector each week, identifying the key stocks, and timing entries in a fast-changing, fragmented market is extremely challenging. This complexity highlights the need for a more effective approach.

The Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull and Bear 2X ETFs (AIBU & AIBD) offer a simpler way to trade the directional move, long or short, with 200% daily leverage in a single ticker.

A Specialized Leveraged ETF for a Complex and Fast-Moving Index

The good news for traders is that both AIBU and AIBD track a single index purpose-built for this theme: the Solactive US AI & Big Data Index, which represents U.S.-domiciled companies with core business operations in artificial intelligence and big data.

Unlike a broad tech index, this one is built around a revenue threshold, so it holds companies that are genuinely operating in AI and big data rather than simply adjacent to it.

To qualify, a company must generate at least 50% of its revenue from AI applications, AI-driven services, natural language processing, or data analytics. Eligible companies must also meet minimum market cap and average daily trading volume thresholds at each rebalancing. 

The result is a concentrated mix spanning semiconductors, software, IT services, and interactive media, with industry-leading names like NVIDIA, Amazon, and Alphabet alongside less-followed AI pure plays. 

That concentration makes it more volatile than most sector benchmarks, which is part of what makes it well-suited to trading as a leveraged vehicle.

Trade AI and Big Data Volatility With 2X Leverage

The 2026 AI trade has no shortage of near-term catalysts: earnings reports from the index's mega-cap holdings, Fed rate decisions, major product announcements, and ongoing competition between model developers and the infrastructure providers supplying them. For traders with a directional view on where the sector heads next, AIBU and AIBD are built to act on it.

Bullish Trade: AIBU

Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X ETF (AIBU) allows traders to double their exposure to AI and big data stock movements.

• Targets 200% of the Solactive US AI & Big Data Index's daily performance
  • When the index rises 1%, AIBU aims for a 2% gain (before fees)
  • When the index falls 1%, AIBU aims for a 2% decline (before fees)
• Aims to suit traders expecting continued strength from hyperscaler infrastructure spending, positive earnings from the index's mega-cap holdings, or accelerating demand for AI products and services
• Enables traders to capture broad AI and big data exposure across semiconductors, software, cloud, and consumer tech with 2X leverage

Bearish Trade: AIBD

Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bear 2X ETF (AIBD) provides inverse exposure to the same index with double leverage.

• Seeks inverse (-2X) daily performance versus the Solactive US AI & Big Data Index
  • When the index drops 1%, AIBD aims for a 2% gain (before fees)
  • When the index rises 1%, AIBD aims for a 2% decline (before fees)
• Built for traders anticipating a pullback from stretched AI valuations, disappointing earnings, or continued pressure on software companies from AI disruption
• Offers a tactical hedge or directional short position accessible in retirement accounts where traditional shorting* is restricted

Because these funds reset daily, they are designed for short-term positions rather than long-term holds. For the active trader with a daily pulse on AI and big data, these ETFs are built to leverage your insights.

Don’t Miss the AI and Big Data Volatility Window

The AI and big data spending cycle is approaching an inflection point. A $650 billion capital commitment is either going to generate the returns that justify it or expose the companies depending on that spending to significant downside.

Either outcome is likely to move markets sharply, and the early data from 2026 suggests traders are not waiting to find out. The sector has already seen extreme swings in both directions in the first weeks of the year, with no signs of that letting up.

That is exactly the kind of environment Direxion’s Daily AI and Big Data Bull and Bear 2X ETFs (AIBU & AIBD) are built for. Traders who want to act on those moves without managing a complex portfolio of individual AI and data stocks can use these funds to express a directional view on the whole sector, long or short, with 200% daily leverage in a single trade.

*Short selling: Short-selling is a trading strategy where investors borrow shares and sell them, hoping the stock price will fall.

Leveraged and inverse ETFs pursue daily leveraged investment objectives, which means they are riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage. They seek daily goals and should not be expected to track the underlying index over periods longer than one day. They are not suitable for all investors and should be utilized only by sophisticated investors who understand leverage risk and who actively manage their investments.

An investor should carefully consider a Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Direxion Shares. To obtain a Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus call 866-476-7523 or visit our website at direxion.com. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

The Solactive US AI & Big Data Index is designed by Solactive AG (the “Index Provider”) to represent the securities of companies from the United States that have business operations in the field of artificial intelligence (“AI”) applications and big data.

Direxion Shares Risks – An investment in a Fund involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. A Fund is non-diversified and includes risks associated with the Fund’s concentrating its investments in a particular industry, sector, or geography which can increase volatility. The use of derivatives such as futures contracts and swaps are subject to market risks that may cause prices to fluctuate over time.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Company Risk — Companies engaged in AI and big data typically face intense competition and potentially rapid product obsolescence as well as the risks of increased regulations or restrictions which could have an impact on AI and big data companies.

Information Technology Sector Risk — The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation, and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from competitors with lower production costs.

Communication Services Sector Risk — The communication services sector may be dominated by a small number of companies which may lead to additional volatility in the sector. Communication services companies are particularly vulnerable to the potential obsolescence of products and services due to technological advances and the innovation of competitors.

Distributor: ALPS Distributors, Inc.

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