DFEN vs. NUGT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFEN is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300% Daily), while NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFEN returned 30.03%/yr vs 17.04%/yr for NUGT. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFEN charges 0.96%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

DFEN vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) 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, DFEN achieves a 15.64% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -32.09% return.

DFEN

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 11.93%
• YTD: 15.64%
• 6M: 7.44%
• 1Y: 71.10%
• 3Y*: 68.88%
• 5Y*: 30.03%
• 10Y*: —

NUGT

• 1D: -9.53%
• 1M: -19.60%
• YTD: -32.09%
• 6M: -39.03%
• 1Y: 60.88%
• 3Y*: 55.65%
• 5Y*: 17.04%
• 10Y*: -11.63%

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

DFEN vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	15.64%	156.62%	27.07%	24.70%	6.99%	12.72%	-70.23%	95.09%	-32.86%	83.64%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-32.09%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	-60.16%	100.73%	-44.52%	3.90%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEN and NUGT is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017	0.17

The correlation between DFEN and NUGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (all time) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFEN vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFEN	NUGT
Industrials	18.7%	-
Technology	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DFEN vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DFEN

DFEN Risk / Return Rank: 32
DFEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
DFEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
DFEN Omega Ratio Rank: 31
DFEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
DFEN Martin Ratio Rank: 29

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 23
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 27
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DFEN vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) 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.

	DFEN	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	0.65	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.76	1.35	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.18	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	0.96	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.90	2.30	+1.60

DFEN vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEN Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is higher than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 0.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEN 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

DFEN vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEN drawdown since its inception was -91.36%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEN and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFEN	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.36%	-99.97%	+8.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.75%	-63.43%	+21.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-43.13%	-63.43%	+20.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.30%	-73.72%	+18.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-96.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.22%	-99.84%	+75.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.13%	-91.53%	+46.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.29%	26.52%	-8.23%

Volatility

DFEN vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) is 25.03%, while Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) has a volatility of 35.11%. This indicates that DFEN 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

	DFEN	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.03%	35.11%	-10.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	55.87%	80.35%	-24.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	66.30%	94.31%	-28.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	60.78%	72.94%	-12.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	71.63%	87.97%	-16.34%

DFEN vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

DFEN vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

DFEN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.72%, more than NUGT's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares	7.72%	8.89%	14.12%	1.13%	0.46%	1.89%	0.48%	0.50%	1.07%	1.50%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.44%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFEN and NUGT in my portfolio?

DFEN and NUGT have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFEN or NUGT?

NUGT has higher volatility (35.11%) compared to DFEN (25.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEN dropped -91.36% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, DFEN or NUGT?

On 5-year performance, DFEN leads with 30.03% vs 17.04% for NUGT. On fees, DFEN is cheaper at 0.96% per year. On volatility, DFEN has been the lower-risk option at 25.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFEN or NUGT?

Over the 5-year period, DFEN has performed better with a 30.03% return vs 17.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFEN or NUGT?

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

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

DFEN has the higher dividend yield at 7.72%, compared with 0.44% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between DFEN and NUGT?

DFEN is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while NUGT is Gold. DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300% Daily), while NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Their fees differ too: 0.96% for DFEN and 1.13% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.65), 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.