IFED vs. NRGU

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

IFED (ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN) and NRGU (MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds - IFED tracks the IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross while NRGU tracks the Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IFED returned 9.27% vs 141.14% for NRGU. Their 0.09 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. IFED charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for NRGU.

Performance

IFED vs. NRGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IFED achieves a 6.57% return, which is significantly lower than NRGU's 136.46% return.

IFED

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 10.34%
• 6M: 12.77%
• YTD: 6.57%
• 1Y: 9.27%
• 3Y*: 18.28%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.61%

NRGU

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: 39.09%
• 6M: 68.44%
• YTD: 136.46%
• 1Y: 141.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 41.52%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	$121.94K	$80.88K	$45.76K
NRGU MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN	$4.54M	$4.18M	$3.82M

IFED vs. NRGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	6.57%	4.64%
NRGU MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN	136.46%	-30.00%

Correlation

The correlation between IFED and NRGU is 0.02, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2025	0.09

Return for Risk

IFED vs. NRGU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IFED

IFED Risk / Return Rank: 19
IFED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
IFED Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
IFED Omega Ratio Rank: 23
IFED Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
IFED Martin Ratio Rank: 20

NRGU

NRGU Risk / Return Rank: 64
NRGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
NRGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
NRGU Omega Ratio Rank: 57
NRGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
NRGU Martin Ratio Rank: 55

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IFED vs. NRGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU). 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.

	IFED	NRGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.32	1.84	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.67	2.26	-1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.28	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.46	3.24	-2.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.43	7.24	-5.81

IFED vs. NRGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFED Sharpe Ratio is 0.32, which is lower than the NRGU Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFED and NRGU, 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

IFED vs. NRGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFED drawdown since its inception was -22.36%, smaller than the maximum NRGU drawdown of -57.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFED and NRGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFED	NRGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.36%	-57.50%	+35.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.18%	-43.89%	+23.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.51%	-18.45%	+7.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.85%	-25.70%	+19.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.50%	19.57%	-13.07%

Volatility

IFED vs. NRGU - Volatility Comparison

ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU) have volatilities of 24.37% and 24.66%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IFED	NRGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.37%	24.66%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.12%	64.44%	-36.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.47%	77.29%	-47.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.59%	88.44%	-65.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.59%	88.44%	-65.85%

IFED vs. NRGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFED has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than NRGU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFED vs. NRGU - Dividend Comparison

Neither IFED nor NRGU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IFED and NRGU in my portfolio?

IFED and NRGU have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFED or NRGU?

NRGU has higher volatility (24.66%) compared to IFED (24.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFED dropped -22.36% vs NRGU's -57.50%.

Which ETF is better, IFED or NRGU?

On 1-year performance, NRGU leads with 141.14% vs 9.27% for IFED. On fees, IFED is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, IFED has been the lower-risk option at 24.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IFED or NRGU?

Over the 1-year period, NRGU has performed better with a 141.14% return vs 9.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFED or NRGU?

IFED is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for NRGU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IFED or NRGU?

IFED and NRGU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between IFED and NRGU?

IFED tracks IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while NRGU tracks Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index. They also come from different issuers: UBS and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for IFED and 0.95% for NRGU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NRGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 0.32), 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.