DRIP vs. NUGT
DRIP (Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bear 2x Shares) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DRIP is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (-300%), while NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DRIP returned -42.30%/yr vs -15.01%/yr for NUGT. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. DRIP charges 1.07%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for NUGT.
Performance
DRIP vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DRIP achieves a -48.42% return, which is significantly lower than NUGT's -37.58% return. Over the past 10 years, DRIP has underperformed NUGT with an annualized return of -42.30%, while NUGT has yielded a comparatively higher -15.01% annualized return.
DRIP
- 1D
- -0.65%
- 1M
- -2.28%
- 6M
- -45.20%
- YTD
- -48.42%
- 1Y
- -47.19%
- 3Y*
- -27.53%
- 5Y*
- -43.20%
- 10Y*
- -42.30%
NUGT
- 1D
- 4.04%
- 1M
- -14.45%
- 6M
- -50.47%
- YTD
- -37.58%
- 1Y
- 52.80%
- 3Y*
- 44.99%
- 5Y*
- 14.43%
- 10Y*
- -15.01%
DRIP vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DRIP Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bear 2x Shares | -48.42% | -14.81% | 1.27% | -17.24% | -73.57% | -79.74% | -42.76% | -36.11% | 49.62% | -9.05% |
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF | -37.58% | 425.05% | 2.89% | 2.60% | -32.10% | -26.31% | -60.16% | 100.73% | -44.52% | 3.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between DRIP and NUGT is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.09 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.20 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2015 | -0.13 |
The correlation between DRIP and NUGT shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (5 years) to 0.10 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DRIP vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank
DRIP
NUGT
DRIP vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bear 2x Shares (DRIP) 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.
| DRIP | NUGT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.39 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.49 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.87 | 1.17 | -0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.76 | 0.82 | -1.58 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.32 | 1.75 | -3.07 |
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Drawdowns
DRIP vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DRIP drawdown since its inception was -99.95%, roughly equal to the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRIP and NUGT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DRIP | NUGT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -99.95% | -99.97% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -62.18% | -64.82% | +2.64% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -76.02% | -64.82% | -11.20% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -96.24% | -73.72% | -22.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -99.92% | -96.91% | -3.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -99.94% | -99.85% | -0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -90.51% | -91.56% | +1.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 35.66% | 30.29% | +5.37% |
Volatility
DRIP vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bear 2x Shares (DRIP) is 16.32%, while Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) has a volatility of 27.51%. This indicates that DRIP 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.
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Volatility by Period
| DRIP | NUGT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 16.32% | 27.51% | -11.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 44.01% | 80.24% | -36.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 56.73% | 95.08% | -38.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 68.02% | 73.31% | -5.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 95.90% | 87.69% | +8.21% |
DRIP vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison
DRIP has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.13% expense ratio.
Dividends
DRIP vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison
DRIP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.44%, more than NUGT's 0.63% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DRIP Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Bear 2x Shares | 3.44% | 2.86% | 4.38% | 5.09% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.96% | 0.58% |
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF | 0.63% | 0.22% | 1.79% | 1.67% | 0.70% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.63% | 0.57% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DRIP and NUGT have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NUGT has higher volatility (27.51%) compared to DRIP (16.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DRIP dropped -99.95% vs NUGT's -99.97%.
On 10-year performance, NUGT leads with -15.01% vs -42.30% for DRIP. On fees, DRIP is cheaper at 1.07% per year. On volatility, DRIP has been the lower-risk option at 16.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, NUGT has performed better with a -15.01% return vs -42.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DRIP is cheaper with a 1.07% expense ratio, compared with 1.13% for NUGT.
DRIP has the higher dividend yield at 3.44%, compared with 0.63% for NUGT.
DRIP is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while NUGT is Gold. DRIP tracks S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (-300%), while NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Their fees differ too: 1.07% for DRIP and 1.13% for NUGT.
NUGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.56 vs -0.83), 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.
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