HIBL vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

HIBL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040) are both Leveraged Equities funds - HIBL tracks the S&P 500 High Beta Index (300%) while GDXU tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HIBL returned 10.57%/yr vs -14.73%/yr for GDXU. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HIBL charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

HIBL vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares (HIBL) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HIBL achieves a 80.33% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -56.00% return.

HIBL

• 1D: 4.55%
• 1M: 15.37%
• YTD: 80.33%
• 6M: 73.92%
• 1Y: 226.21%
• 3Y*: 49.52%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: —

GDXU

• 1D: 8.84%
• 1M: -50.11%
• YTD: -56.00%
• 6M: -55.92%
• 1Y: 30.95%
• 3Y*: 37.87%
• 5Y*: -14.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

HIBL vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HIBL Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares	80.33%	60.38%	-0.40%	81.02%	-68.24%	129.14%	10.77%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	-56.00%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-54.93%	4.32%

Correlation

The correlation between HIBL and GDXU is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2020	0.30

HIBL vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HIBL	GDXU
Technology	45.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.9%	-
Financial Services	12.5%	-
Industrials	11.7%	-
Basic Materials	4.6%	100.0%
Communication Services	3.7%	-
Utilities	3.2%	-
Healthcare	2.9%	-
Energy	2.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.6%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

HIBL vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

HIBL

HIBL Risk / Return Rank: 88
HIBL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
HIBL Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
HIBL Omega Ratio Rank: 78
HIBL Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
HIBL Martin Ratio Rank: 95

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 19
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 29
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
GDXU Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

HIBL vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares (HIBL) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU). 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.

	HIBL	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.19	0.22	+2.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	1.27	+1.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.18	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.25	0.37	+6.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.38	0.80	+24.57

HIBL vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIBL Sharpe Ratio is 3.19, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIBL and GDXU, 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

HIBL vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIBL drawdown since its inception was -88.27%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIBL and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIBL	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.27%	-94.39%	+6.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.39%	-83.97%	+52.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-69.66%	-83.97%	+14.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-81.58%	-92.44%	+10.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.19%	-79.58%	+69.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.05%	-69.77%	+25.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.96%	38.59%	-29.63%

Volatility

HIBL vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares (HIBL) is 34.70%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a volatility of 54.28%. This indicates that HIBL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HIBL	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	34.70%	54.28%	-19.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	57.54%	123.72%	-66.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	71.43%	142.00%	-70.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	83.04%	111.92%	-28.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	92.32%	110.82%	-18.50%

HIBL vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIBL has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIBL vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

HIBL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
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%
HIBL Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares	1.28%	2.43%	0.82%	0.69%	0.00%	0.06%	0.19%	0.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIBL and GDXU in my portfolio?

HIBL and GDXU have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HIBL or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (54.28%) compared to HIBL (34.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIBL dropped -88.27% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, HIBL or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, HIBL leads with 10.57% vs -14.73% for GDXU. On fees, GDXU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, HIBL has been the lower-risk option at 34.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HIBL or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, HIBL has performed better with a 10.57% return vs -14.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HIBL or GDXU?

GDXU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.12% for HIBL.

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

HIBL has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.

What is the main difference between HIBL and GDXU?

HIBL tracks S&P 500 High Beta Index (300%), while GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and BMO. Their fees differ too: 1.12% for HIBL and 0.95% for GDXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HIBL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 vs 0.22), 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.