DIPS vs. NVDU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DIPS (YieldMax Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF) and NVDU (Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DIPS is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while NVDU is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Direxion. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DIPS returned -26.57% vs 84.73% for NVDU. At a correlation of -0.96, they often move in opposite directions. DIPS charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for NVDU.

Performance

DIPS vs. NVDU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF (DIPS) and Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF (NVDU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DIPS achieves a -8.73% return, which is significantly lower than NVDU's 19.93% return.

DIPS

• 1D: 2.87%
• 1M: -6.32%
• YTD: -8.73%
• 6M: -11.40%
• 1Y: -26.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NVDU

• 1D: -7.30%
• 1M: 14.13%
• YTD: 19.93%
• 6M: 27.09%
• 1Y: 84.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DIPS vs. NVDU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DIPS YieldMax Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF	-8.73%	-31.46%	-23.19%
NVDU Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF	19.93%	33.65%	16.34%

Correlation

The correlation between DIPS and NVDU is -0.96, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2024	-0.96

The correlation between DIPS and NVDU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.96 to -0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DIPS vs. NVDU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIPS

DIPS Risk / Return Rank: 2
DIPS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
DIPS Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
DIPS Omega Ratio Rank: 2
DIPS Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
DIPS Martin Ratio Rank: 2

NVDU

NVDU Risk / Return Rank: 34
NVDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
NVDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
NVDU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
NVDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
NVDU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

DIPS vs. NVDU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF (DIPS) and Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF (NVDU). 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.

	DIPS	NVDU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.96	1.26	-2.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.28	1.89	-3.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.85	1.23	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	2.02	-2.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	4.60	-5.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DIPS vs. NVDU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIPS Sharpe Ratio is -0.96, which is lower than the NVDU Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIPS and NVDU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DIPS	NVDU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.96	1.26	-2.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.86	1.14	-2.00

Drawdowns

DIPS vs. NVDU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIPS drawdown since its inception was -59.93%, smaller than the maximum NVDU drawdown of -67.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIPS and NVDU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIPS	NVDU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.93%	-67.27%	+7.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.97%	-42.27%	+8.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-55.85%	-18.32%	-37.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.22%	-18.84%	-19.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.49%	18.47%	+1.02%

Volatility

DIPS vs. NVDU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF (DIPS) is 10.68%, while Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF (NVDU) has a volatility of 24.74%. This indicates that DIPS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NVDU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIPS	NVDU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.68%	24.74%	-14.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.77%	50.50%	-29.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.88%	68.02%	-40.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.03%	91.06%	-53.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.03%	91.06%	-53.03%

DIPS vs. NVDU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIPS has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than NVDU's 1.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

DIPS vs. NVDU - Dividend Comparison

DIPS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 66.49%, more than NVDU's 4.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
DIPS YieldMax Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF	66.49%	96.20%	24.18%	0.00%
NVDU Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares ETF	4.83%	5.68%	16.85%	0.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DIPS and NVDU in my portfolio?

DIPS and NVDU have a correlation of -0.96, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIPS or NVDU?

NVDU has higher volatility (24.74%) compared to DIPS (10.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIPS dropped -59.93% vs NVDU's -67.27%.

Which ETF is better, DIPS or NVDU?

On 1-year performance, NVDU leads with 84.73% vs -26.57% for DIPS. On fees, DIPS is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, DIPS has been the lower-risk option at 10.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DIPS or NVDU?

Over the 1-year period, NVDU has performed better with a 84.73% return vs -26.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIPS or NVDU?

DIPS is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for NVDU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DIPS or NVDU?

DIPS has the higher dividend yield at 66.49%, compared with 4.83% for NVDU.

What is the main difference between DIPS and NVDU?

DIPS is categorized as Derivative Income, while NVDU is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for DIPS and 1.04% for NVDU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NVDU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs -0.96), 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.