GDXU vs. BULZ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN) and BULZ (MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds from BMO - GDXU tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index while BULZ tracks the Solactive FANG Innovation. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GDXU returned 47.72%/yr vs 100.25%/yr for BULZ. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

GDXU vs. BULZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU) and MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXU achieves a -41.62% return, which is significantly lower than BULZ's 92.22% return.

GDXU

• 1D: 3.90%
• 1M: -8.04%
• YTD: -41.62%
• 6M: -31.92%
• 1Y: 76.85%
• 3Y*: 47.72%
• 5Y*: -10.23%
• 10Y*: —

BULZ

• 1D: -4.32%
• 1M: 33.43%
• YTD: 92.22%
• 6M: 82.15%
• 1Y: 239.73%
• 3Y*: 100.25%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDXU vs. BULZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN	-41.62%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-0.95%
BULZ MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN	92.22%	60.09%	54.09%	394.22%	-92.26%	12.62%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXU and BULZ is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2021	0.22

GDXU vs. BULZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDXU	BULZ
Basic Materials	100.0%	-
Communication Services	-	25.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	62.3%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GDXU vs. BULZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 25
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
GDXU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

BULZ

BULZ Risk / Return Rank: 75
BULZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
BULZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
BULZ Omega Ratio Rank: 68
BULZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
BULZ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

GDXU vs. BULZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU) and MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ). 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.

	GDXU	BULZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.56	3.24	-2.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	3.01	-1.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.40	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	4.45	-3.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.11	11.93	-9.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDXU vs. BULZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXU Sharpe Ratio is 0.56, which is lower than the BULZ Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXU and BULZ, 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

	GDXU	BULZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56	3.24	-2.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.18	-0.26

Drawdowns

GDXU vs. BULZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXU drawdown since its inception was -94.39%, roughly equal to the maximum BULZ drawdown of -94.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXU and BULZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDXU	BULZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.39%	-94.44%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-73.99%	-54.22%	-19.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-73.99%	-67.96%	-6.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-92.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-72.90%	-9.44%	-63.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-69.77%	-58.38%	-11.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	36.52%	20.20%	+16.32%

Volatility

GDXU vs. BULZ - Volatility Comparison

MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU) has a higher volatility of 46.65% compared to MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ) at 22.83%. This indicates that GDXU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BULZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDXU	BULZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	46.65%	22.83%	+23.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	118.08%	56.98%	+61.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	137.54%	74.46%	+63.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	110.85%	91.22%	+19.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	110.00%	91.22%	+18.78%

GDXU vs. BULZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GDXU and BULZ have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

GDXU vs. BULZ - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDXU nor BULZ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDXU and BULZ in my portfolio?

GDXU and BULZ have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDXU or BULZ?

GDXU has higher volatility (46.65%) compared to BULZ (22.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXU dropped -94.39% vs BULZ's -94.44%.

Which ETF is better, GDXU or BULZ?

On 3-year performance, BULZ leads with 100.25% vs 47.72% for GDXU. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, BULZ has been the lower-risk option at 22.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDXU or BULZ?

Over the 3-year period, BULZ has performed better with a 100.25% return vs 47.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDXU or BULZ?

GDXU and BULZ have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

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

GDXU and BULZ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GDXU and BULZ?

GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index, while BULZ tracks Solactive FANG Innovation.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BULZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 vs 0.56), 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.