AAPU vs. NUGT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AAPU (Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAPU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Apple Inc. (200%), while NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AAPU returned 22.71%/yr vs 54.30%/yr for NUGT. Their 0.14 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. AAPU charges 0.96%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

AAPU vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAPU achieves a 13.33% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -36.38% return.

AAPU

• 1D: -3.64%
• 1M: -4.76%
• 6M: 16.42%
• YTD: 13.33%
• 1Y: 93.91%
• 3Y*: 22.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.81%

NUGT

• 1D: 5.19%
• 1M: -7.49%
• 6M: -45.25%
• YTD: -36.38%
• 1Y: 57.08%
• 3Y*: 54.30%
• 5Y*: 15.14%
• 10Y*: -14.83%
• ALL TIME*: -33.61%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	$95.46M	$84.08M	$76.55M
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	$68.67M	$68.41M	$88.15M

AAPU vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	13.33%	-2.91%	58.45%	68.66%	-32.44%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-36.38%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	5.84%

Correlation

The correlation between AAPU and NUGT is 0.13, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 9, 2022	0.14

AAPU vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AAPU	NUGT
Technology	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

AAPU vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AAPU

AAPU Risk / Return Rank: 74
AAPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
AAPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
AAPU Omega Ratio Rank: 75
AAPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AAPU Martin Ratio Rank: 60

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 29
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 36
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 23

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AAPU vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AAPU	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	0.60	+1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	1.32	+1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.18	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	0.85	+2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.45	1.69	+5.76

AAPU vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAPU Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is higher than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 0.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAPU and NUGT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAPU vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAPU drawdown since its inception was -58.61%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAPU and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAPU	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.61%	-99.97%	+41.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.90%	-67.40%	+38.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.61%	-67.40%	+8.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-73.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-96.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.19%	-99.85%	+78.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.30%	-91.59%	+74.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.64%	33.85%	-21.21%

Volatility

AAPU vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares (AAPU) is 21.88%, while Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) has a volatility of 24.03%. This indicates that AAPU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAPU	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.88%	24.03%	-2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.74%	74.99%	-33.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.65%	96.28%	-44.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.09%	73.68%	-23.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.09%	87.41%	-37.32%

AAPU vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAPU has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAPU vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

AAPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.90%, more than NUGT's 0.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AAPU Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X Shares	7.90%	8.66%	14.58%	2.32%	0.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.61%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAPU and NUGT in my portfolio?

AAPU and NUGT have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAPU or NUGT?

NUGT has higher volatility (24.03%) compared to AAPU (21.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAPU dropped -58.61% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, AAPU or NUGT?

On 3-year performance, NUGT leads with 54.30% vs 22.71% for AAPU. On fees, AAPU is cheaper at 0.96% per year. On volatility, AAPU has been the lower-risk option at 21.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAPU or NUGT?

Over the 3-year period, NUGT has performed better with a 54.30% return vs 22.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAPU or NUGT?

AAPU is cheaper with a 0.96% expense ratio, compared with 1.13% for NUGT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAPU or NUGT?

AAPU has the higher dividend yield at 7.90%, compared with 0.61% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between AAPU and NUGT?

AAPU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while NUGT is Gold. AAPU tracks Apple Inc. (200%), while NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Their fees differ too: 0.96% for AAPU and 1.13% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 0.60), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.