ELIL vs. NUGT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ELIL (Direxion Daily LLY Bull 2X Shares) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion. ELIL is actively managed, while NUGT is passively managed. Over the past year, ELIL returned 63.78% vs 97.46% for NUGT. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ELIL charges 0.97%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

ELIL vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ELIL achieves a -8.59% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -16.05% return.

ELIL

• 1D: 3.14%
• 1M: 23.31%
• YTD: -8.59%
• 6M: -1.88%
• 1Y: 63.78%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NUGT

• 1D: -6.64%
• 1M: -4.13%
• YTD: -16.05%
• 6M: -6.29%
• 1Y: 97.46%
• 3Y*: 60.96%
• 5Y*: 16.32%
• 10Y*: -8.54%

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

ELIL vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ELIL Direxion Daily LLY Bull 2X Shares	-8.59%	36.32%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	-16.05%	214.01%

Correlation

The correlation between ELIL and NUGT is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.08

ELIL vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

ELIL vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ELIL

ELIL Risk / Return Rank: 28
ELIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
ELIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
ELIL Omega Ratio Rank: 32
ELIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
ELIL Martin Ratio Rank: 24

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 32
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 34
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

ELIL vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily LLY Bull 2X Shares (ELIL) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (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.

	ELIL	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	1.09	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.55	1.67	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.23	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	1.83	-0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.99	4.18	-1.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ELIL vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ELIL Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is comparable to the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ELIL 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ELIL	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	1.09	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.23	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	-0.33	+0.58

Drawdowns

ELIL vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ELIL drawdown since its inception was -56.03%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ELIL and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ELIL	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.03%	-99.97%	+43.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-46.28%	-53.58%	+7.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-53.58%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-73.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-96.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.45%	-99.80%	+84.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.34%	-91.52%	+67.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.41%	23.39%	-1.98%

Volatility

ELIL vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily LLY Bull 2X Shares (ELIL) is 17.71%, while Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT) has a volatility of 30.32%. This indicates that ELIL 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

	ELIL	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.71%	30.32%	-12.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	53.09%	75.18%	-22.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	75.36%	90.01%	-14.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	83.27%	71.96%	+11.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	83.27%	87.90%	-4.63%

ELIL vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ELIL has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

ELIL vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

ELIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.18%, more than NUGT's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ELIL Direxion Daily LLY Bull 2X Shares	12.18%	10.92%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	0.36%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ELIL and NUGT in my portfolio?

ELIL and NUGT have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ELIL or NUGT?

NUGT has higher volatility (30.32%) compared to ELIL (17.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ELIL dropped -56.03% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, ELIL or NUGT?

On 1-year performance, NUGT leads with 97.46% vs 63.78% for ELIL. On fees, ELIL is cheaper at 0.97% per year. On volatility, ELIL has been the lower-risk option at 17.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ELIL or NUGT?

Over the 1-year period, NUGT has performed better with a 97.46% return vs 63.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ELIL or NUGT?

ELIL is cheaper with a 0.97% expense ratio, compared with 1.23% for NUGT.

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

ELIL has the higher dividend yield at 12.18%, compared with 0.36% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between ELIL and NUGT?

Their fees differ too: 0.97% for ELIL and 1.23% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 0.85), 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.