GDXD vs. OILU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDXD (MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs) and OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 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 OILU is a Leveraged Commodities fund managed by BMO. Over the past 3 years, GDXD returned -84.24%/yr vs 10.60%/yr for OILU. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

GDXD vs. OILU - 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 Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXD achieves a -51.20% return, which is significantly lower than OILU's 96.53% return.

GDXD

• 1D: 10.76%
• 1M: -10.12%
• YTD: -51.20%
• 6M: -62.62%
• 1Y: -93.08%
• 3Y*: -84.24%
• 5Y*: -72.73%
• 10Y*: —

OILU

• 1D: 3.64%
• 1M: -10.84%
• YTD: 96.53%
• 6M: 77.49%
• 1Y: 115.83%
• 3Y*: 10.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDXD vs. OILU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GDXD MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs	-51.20%	-97.53%	-57.78%	-52.35%	-52.56%	0.96%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	96.53%	-16.50%	-21.65%	-32.50%	151.08%	-17.87%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXD and OILU is 0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2021	-0.22

The correlation between GDXD and OILU shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (all time) to 0.06 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GDXD vs. OILU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDXD	OILU
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. OILU — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDXD

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

OILU

OILU Risk / Return Rank: 52
OILU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
OILU Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
OILU Omega Ratio Rank: 42
OILU Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
OILU Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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. OILU - 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 Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). 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.

	GDXD	OILU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.68	1.87	-2.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.88	2.25	-4.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.80	1.28	-0.47
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.97	3.48	-4.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.22	8.74	-9.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDXD vs. OILU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXD Sharpe Ratio is -0.68, which is lower than the OILU Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXD and OILU, 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

	GDXD	OILU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.68	1.87	-2.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.67	0.17	-0.83

Drawdowns

GDXD vs. OILU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXD drawdown since its inception was -99.96%, which is greater than OILU's maximum drawdown of -81.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXD and OILU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDXD	OILU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.96%	-81.00%	-18.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-96.33%	-33.51%	-62.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-99.86%	-69.09%	-30.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.93%	-47.14%	-52.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-71.85%	-50.59%	-21.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	75.91%	13.32%	+62.59%

Volatility

GDXD vs. OILU - Volatility Comparison

MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (GDXD) has a higher volatility of 47.44% compared to MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) at 25.14%. This indicates that GDXD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than OILU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDXD	OILU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	47.44%	25.14%	+22.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	109.86%	49.94%	+59.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	136.25%	62.23%	+74.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	109.97%	81.16%	+28.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	109.35%	81.16%	+28.19%

GDXD vs. OILU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GDXD vs. OILU - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDXD nor OILU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDXD and OILU in my portfolio?

GDXD and OILU have a correlation of 0.06, 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 OILU?

GDXD has higher volatility (47.44%) compared to OILU (25.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXD dropped -99.96% vs OILU's -81.00%.

Which ETF is better, GDXD or OILU?

On 3-year performance, OILU leads with 10.60% vs -84.24% for GDXD. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, OILU has been the lower-risk option at 25.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDXD or OILU?

Over the 3-year period, OILU has performed better with a 10.60% return vs -84.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDXD or OILU?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between GDXD and OILU?

GDXD is categorized as Inverse Equities, while OILU is Leveraged Commodities.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OILU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs -0.68), 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.