HIBL vs. NUGT

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

HIBL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HIBL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 High Beta Index (300%), while NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HIBL returned 12.26%/yr vs 13.77%/yr for NUGT. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HIBL charges 1.12%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

HIBL vs. NUGT - 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 Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HIBL achieves a 62.78% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -40.00% return.

HIBL

• 1D: -7.56%
• 1M: -9.73%
• 6M: 41.34%
• YTD: 62.78%
• 1Y: 128.52%
• 3Y*: 39.19%
• 5Y*: 12.26%
• 10Y*: —

NUGT

• 1D: -5.68%
• 1M: -17.77%
• 6M: -51.61%
• YTD: -40.00%
• 1Y: 47.08%
• 3Y*: 43.09%
• 5Y*: 13.77%
• 10Y*: -15.35%

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

HIBL vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HIBL Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares	62.78%	60.38%	-0.40%	81.02%	-68.24%	129.14%	-24.96%	19.23%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-40.00%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	-60.16%	21.94%

Correlation

The correlation between HIBL and NUGT is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2019	0.23

The correlation between HIBL and NUGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (all time) to 0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HIBL vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HIBL	NUGT
Technology	9.3%	-
Financial Services	2.8%	-
Industrials	2.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.4%	-
Healthcare	1.2%	-
Utilities	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	0.6%	100.0%
Communication Services	0.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	-
Energy	0.2%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

HIBL vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

HIBL

HIBL Risk / Return Rank: 70
HIBL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
HIBL Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
HIBL Omega Ratio Rank: 56
HIBL Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
HIBL Martin Ratio Rank: 84

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 23
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 29
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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. NUGT - 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 Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT). 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	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	0.50	+1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	1.22	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.16	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.12	0.73	+3.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.41	1.57	+11.84

HIBL vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIBL Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is higher than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 0.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIBL and NUGT, 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. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIBL drawdown since its inception was -88.27%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIBL and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIBL	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.27%	-99.97%	+11.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.39%	-64.82%	+33.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-69.66%	-64.82%	-4.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-81.58%	-73.72%	-7.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-96.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.01%	-99.86%	+77.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.67%	-91.56%	+47.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.62%	30.03%	-20.41%

Volatility

HIBL vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares (HIBL) has a higher volatility of 34.48% compared to Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) at 29.20%. This indicates that HIBL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HIBL	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	34.48%	29.20%	+5.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	62.65%	80.16%	-17.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	76.01%	95.19%	-19.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	83.63%	73.29%	+10.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	92.50%	87.69%	+4.81%

HIBL vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIBL has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIBL vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

HIBL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.39%, more than NUGT's 0.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
HIBL Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bull 3X Shares	1.39%	2.43%	0.82%	0.69%	0.00%	0.06%	0.19%	0.19%	0.00%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.65%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIBL and NUGT in my portfolio?

HIBL and NUGT have a correlation of 0.38, 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 NUGT?

HIBL has higher volatility (34.48%) compared to NUGT (29.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIBL dropped -88.27% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, HIBL or NUGT?

On 5-year performance, NUGT leads with 13.77% vs 12.26% for HIBL. On fees, HIBL is cheaper at 1.12% per year. On volatility, NUGT has been the lower-risk option at 29.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HIBL or NUGT?

Over the 5-year period, NUGT has performed better with a 13.77% return vs 12.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HIBL or NUGT?

HIBL is cheaper with a 1.12% expense ratio, compared with 1.13% for NUGT.

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

HIBL has the higher dividend yield at 1.39%, compared with 0.65% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between HIBL and NUGT?

HIBL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while NUGT is Gold. HIBL tracks S&P 500 High Beta Index (300%), while NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Their fees differ too: 1.12% for HIBL and 1.13% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HIBL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 0.50), 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.