HODU vs. NUGT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HODU (Direxion Daily HOOD Bull 2X ETF) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion. HODU is actively managed, while NUGT is passively managed. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HODU charges 0.97%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

HODU vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily HOOD Bull 2X ETF (HODU) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HODU achieves a -60.56% return, which is significantly lower than NUGT's -16.05% return.

HODU

• 1D: -12.12%
• 1M: 10.35%
• YTD: -60.56%
• 6M: -72.71%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NUGT

• 1D: -6.64%
• 1M: -4.13%
• YTD: -16.05%
• 6M: -6.29%
• 1Y: 97.46%
• 3Y*: 60.96%
• 5Y*: 16.32%
• 10Y*: -8.54%

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

HODU vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HODU Direxion Daily HOOD Bull 2X ETF	-60.56%	-14.91%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	-16.05%	24.45%

Correlation

The correlation between HODU and NUGT is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2025	0.41

Return for Risk

HODU vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 32
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 34
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

HODU vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily HOOD Bull 2X ETF (HODU) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HODU	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.09	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.23	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.60	-0.33	-0.27

Drawdowns

HODU vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HODU drawdown since its inception was -81.62%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HODU and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	HODU	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.62%	-99.97%	+18.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-53.58%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-53.58%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-73.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-96.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-74.01%	-99.80%	+25.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-56.30%	-91.52%	+35.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	23.39%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HODU	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	30.32%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	75.18%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	146.22%	90.01%	+56.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	146.22%	71.96%	+74.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	146.22%	87.90%	+58.32%

HODU vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

HODU has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

HODU vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

HODU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, more than NUGT's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
HODU Direxion Daily HOOD Bull 2X ETF	1.58%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	0.36%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HODU and NUGT in my portfolio?

HODU and NUGT have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HODU or NUGT?

On fees, HODU is cheaper at 0.97% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HODU or NUGT?

HODU is cheaper with a 0.97% expense ratio, compared with 1.23% for NUGT.

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

HODU has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 0.36% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between HODU and NUGT?

Their fees differ too: 0.97% for HODU and 1.23% for NUGT.