DUSL vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

DUSL (Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040) are both Leveraged Equities funds - DUSL tracks the Industrials Select Sector Index (300%) while GDXU tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DUSL returned 19.67%/yr vs -14.73%/yr for GDXU. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DUSL charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

DUSL vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares (DUSL) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DUSL achieves a 34.09% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -56.00% return.

DUSL

• 1D: 2.31%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 34.09%
• 6M: 30.29%
• 1Y: 60.14%
• 3Y*: 45.34%
• 5Y*: 19.67%
• 10Y*: —

GDXU

• 1D: 8.84%
• 1M: -50.11%
• YTD: -56.00%
• 6M: -55.92%
• 1Y: 30.95%
• 3Y*: 37.87%
• 5Y*: -14.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

DUSL vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DUSL Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares	34.09%	37.50%	34.75%	37.23%	-31.17%	60.72%	3.45%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	-56.00%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-54.93%	4.32%

Correlation

The correlation between DUSL and GDXU 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	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2020	0.29

DUSL vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DUSL	GDXU
Industrials	20.0%	-
Utilities	1.1%	-
Technology	0.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

DUSL vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DUSL

DUSL Risk / Return Rank: 40
DUSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
DUSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
DUSL Omega Ratio Rank: 37
DUSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
DUSL Martin Ratio Rank: 42

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 19
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 29
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
GDXU Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

DUSL vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares (DUSL) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU). 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.

	DUSL	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	0.22	+1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	1.27	+0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.18	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	0.37	+1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.91	0.80	+5.10

DUSL vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DUSL Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DUSL and GDXU, 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

DUSL vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DUSL drawdown since its inception was -85.74%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DUSL and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DUSL	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.74%	-94.39%	+8.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.68%	-83.97%	+50.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.86%	-83.97%	+33.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.43%	-92.44%	+34.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.11%	-79.58%	+69.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.96%	-69.77%	+47.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.22%	38.59%	-28.37%

Volatility

DUSL vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares (DUSL) is 18.87%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a volatility of 54.28%. This indicates that DUSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DUSL	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.87%	54.28%	-35.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.19%	123.72%	-82.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.18%	142.00%	-92.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.90%	111.92%	-59.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	61.65%	110.82%	-49.17%

DUSL vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DUSL has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

DUSL vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

DUSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.54%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DUSL Direxion Daily Industrials Bull 3X Shares	8.54%	11.39%	6.61%	1.28%	0.66%	0.07%	0.48%	1.01%	1.46%	0.57%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DUSL and GDXU in my portfolio?

DUSL and GDXU 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, DUSL or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (54.28%) compared to DUSL (18.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DUSL dropped -85.74% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, DUSL or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, DUSL leads with 19.67% vs -14.73% for GDXU. On fees, GDXU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, DUSL has been the lower-risk option at 18.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DUSL or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, DUSL has performed better with a 19.67% return vs -14.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DUSL or GDXU?

GDXU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for DUSL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DUSL or GDXU?

DUSL has the higher dividend yield at 8.54%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.

What is the main difference between DUSL and GDXU?

DUSL tracks Industrials Select Sector Index (300%), while GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and BMO. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for DUSL and 0.95% for GDXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DUSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 0.22), 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.