GDXU vs. NAIL
GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040) and NAIL (Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds - GDXU tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index while NAIL tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GDXU returned -11.66%/yr vs -12.02%/yr for NAIL. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDXU charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for NAIL.
Performance
GDXU vs. NAIL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GDXU achieves a -68.01% return, which is significantly lower than NAIL's -22.74% return.
GDXU
- 1D
- 15.40%
- 1M
- -31.80%
- 6M
- -80.76%
- YTD
- -68.01%
- 1Y
- 4.23%
- 3Y*
- 23.50%
- 5Y*
- -11.66%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- -18.29%
NAIL
- 1D
- -1.60%
- 1M
- -16.35%
- 6M
- -39.64%
- YTD
- -22.74%
- 1Y
- -29.80%
- 3Y*
- -20.75%
- 5Y*
- -12.02%
- 10Y*
- 2.20%
- ALL TIME*
- 0.03%
GDXU vs. NAIL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 | -68.01% | 796.47% | -18.60% | -21.36% | -62.82% | -54.93% | 4.32% |
NAIL Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares | -22.74% | -40.43% | -22.83% | 259.61% | -75.23% | 168.20% | 10.54% |
Correlation
The correlation between GDXU and NAIL is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2020 | 0.23 |
GDXU vs. NAIL - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
GDXU
NAIL
Basic Materials
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Healthcare
-
-
Industrials
-
Real Estate
-
Technology
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Basic Materials
GDXU
NAIL
Communication Services
GDXU
-
NAIL
-
Consumer Cyclical
GDXU
-
NAIL
Consumer Defensive
GDXU
-
NAIL
-
Energy
GDXU
-
NAIL
-
Financial Services
GDXU
-
NAIL
-
Healthcare
GDXU
-
NAIL
-
Industrials
GDXU
-
NAIL
Real Estate
GDXU
-
NAIL
Technology
GDXU
-
NAIL
-
Utilities
GDXU
-
NAIL
-
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Return for Risk
GDXU vs. NAIL — Risk / Return Rank
GDXU
NAIL
GDXU vs. NAIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) and Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL). 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.
| GDXU | NAIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.01 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.05 | -0.44 | +0.49 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.09 | -0.70 | +0.79 |
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Drawdowns
GDXU vs. NAIL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDXU drawdown since its inception was -94.39%, roughly equal to the maximum NAIL drawdown of -93.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXU and NAIL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDXU | NAIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -94.39% | -93.75% | -0.64% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -87.14% | -67.85% | -19.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -87.14% | -82.09% | -5.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -91.30% | -84.40% | -6.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -93.75% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -85.15% | -77.92% | -7.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -70.00% | -44.14% | -25.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 46.28% | 42.73% | +3.55% |
Volatility
GDXU vs. NAIL - Volatility Comparison
MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a higher volatility of 38.61% compared to Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL) at 28.81%. This indicates that GDXU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NAIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GDXU | NAIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 38.61% | 28.81% | +9.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 127.15% | 64.42% | +62.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 146.85% | 89.85% | +57.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 113.16% | 88.02% | +25.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 111.49% | 89.71% | +21.78% |
GDXU vs. NAIL - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDXU has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than NAIL's 0.99% expense ratio.
Dividends
GDXU vs. NAIL - Dividend Comparison
GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NAIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.81%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
NAIL Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares | 0.81% | 1.55% | 0.63% | 0.22% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.17% | 0.35% | 1.25% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GDXU and NAIL have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDXU has higher volatility (38.61%) compared to NAIL (28.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXU dropped -94.39% vs NAIL's -93.75%.
On 5-year performance, GDXU leads with -11.66% vs -12.02% for NAIL. On fees, GDXU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, NAIL has been the lower-risk option at 28.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GDXU has performed better with a -11.66% return vs -12.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GDXU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for NAIL.
NAIL has the higher dividend yield at 0.81%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.
GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index, while NAIL tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: BMO and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for GDXU and 0.99% for NAIL.
GDXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.03 vs -0.33), 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.
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