GDXD vs. NRGU

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

GDXD (MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs) and NRGU (MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - GDXD is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross (-300%), while NRGU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GDXD returned -91.03% vs 87.65% for NRGU. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

GDXD vs. NRGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (GDXD) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXD achieves a -37.37% return, which is significantly lower than NRGU's 117.14% return.

GDXD

• 1D: 8.77%
• 1M: 16.42%
• 6M: -11.19%
• YTD: -37.37%
• 1Y: -91.03%
• 3Y*: -82.31%
• 5Y*: -72.96%
• 10Y*: —

NRGU

• 1D: 14.18%
• 1M: 3.37%
• 6M: 96.89%
• YTD: 117.14%
• 1Y: 87.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDXD vs. NRGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GDXD MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs	-37.37%	-95.29%
NRGU MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN	117.14%	-30.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXD and NRGU 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2025	0.10

GDXD vs. NRGU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

GDXD vs. NRGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDXD

GDXD Risk / Return Rank: 3
GDXD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
GDXD Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
GDXD Omega Ratio Rank: 2
GDXD Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
GDXD Martin Ratio Rank: 4

NRGU

NRGU Risk / Return Rank: 42
NRGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
NRGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
NRGU Omega Ratio Rank: 40
NRGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
NRGU Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

GDXD vs. NRGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (GDXD) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU). 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.

	GDXD	NRGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.63	1.14	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.41	1.77	-3.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.85	1.22	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.95	2.01	-2.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.12	4.54	-5.67

GDXD vs. NRGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXD Sharpe Ratio is -0.63, which is lower than the NRGU Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXD and NRGU, 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

GDXD vs. NRGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXD drawdown since its inception was -99.96%, which is greater than NRGU's maximum drawdown of -57.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXD and NRGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDXD	NRGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.96%	-57.50%	-42.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-96.19%	-43.89%	-52.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-99.86%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.91%	-25.11%	-74.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-72.32%	-26.06%	-46.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	80.98%	19.50%	+61.48%

Volatility

GDXD vs. NRGU - Volatility Comparison

MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (GDXD) has a higher volatility of 47.16% compared to MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU) at 27.80%. This indicates that GDXD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NRGU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDXD	NRGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	47.16%	27.80%	+19.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	117.86%	63.87%	+53.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	144.94%	77.30%	+67.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	112.08%	89.32%	+22.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	110.75%	89.32%	+21.43%

GDXD vs. NRGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GDXD and NRGU have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

GDXD vs. NRGU - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDXD nor NRGU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDXD and NRGU in my portfolio?

GDXD and NRGU 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.

Which is riskier, GDXD or NRGU?

GDXD has higher volatility (47.16%) compared to NRGU (27.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXD dropped -99.96% vs NRGU's -57.50%.

Which ETF is better, GDXD or NRGU?

On 1-year performance, NRGU leads with 87.65% vs -91.03% for GDXD. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, NRGU has been the lower-risk option at 27.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDXD or NRGU?

Over the 1-year period, NRGU has performed better with a 87.65% return vs -91.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDXD or NRGU?

GDXD and NRGU have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GDXD or NRGU?

GDXD and NRGU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GDXD and NRGU?

GDXD is categorized as Inverse Equities, while NRGU is Leveraged Equities. GDXD tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross (-300%), while NRGU tracks Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index (-300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NRGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs -0.63), 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.