ISVL vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ISVL (iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040) are both exchange-traded funds - ISVL is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex US ex Korea Small Cap Focused Value Index, while GDXU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ISVL returned 10.12%/yr vs -14.72%/yr for GDXU. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISVL charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

ISVL vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (ISVL) 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, ISVL achieves a 7.99% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -57.47% return.

ISVL

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -1.46%
• YTD: 7.99%
• 6M: 11.55%
• 1Y: 27.06%
• 3Y*: 20.90%
• 5Y*: 10.12%
• 10Y*: —

GDXU

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: -49.20%
• YTD: -57.47%
• 6M: -46.20%
• 1Y: 38.54%
• 3Y*: 35.00%
• 5Y*: -14.72%
• 10Y*: —

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

ISVL vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ISVL iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF	7.99%	42.84%	4.58%	17.56%	-13.69%	7.69%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	-57.47%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-25.70%

Correlation

The correlation between ISVL and GDXU is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2021	0.53

The correlation between ISVL and GDXU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

ISVL vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISVL	GDXU
Industrials	23.3%	-
Financial Services	20.8%	-
Real Estate	11.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	-
Basic Materials	9.1%	100.0%
Energy	7.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	-
Technology	4.7%	-
Healthcare	3.7%	-
Communication Services	3.0%	-
Utilities	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

ISVL vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISVL

ISVL Risk / Return Rank: 58
ISVL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
ISVL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
ISVL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
ISVL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
ISVL Martin Ratio Rank: 54

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 20
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 30
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
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.

ISVL vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (ISVL) 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.

	ISVL	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	0.28	+1.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	1.32	+1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.18	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	0.48	+1.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.52	1.04	+7.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISVL vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISVL Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISVL 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ISVL	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	0.28	+1.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	-0.13	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	-0.13	+0.82

Drawdowns

ISVL vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISVL drawdown since its inception was -30.48%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISVL and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISVL	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.48%	-94.39%	+63.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.48%	-80.26%	+67.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.93%	-80.26%	+67.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.48%	-92.93%	+62.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.58%	-80.26%	+77.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.65%	-69.78%	+63.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	37.20%	-34.01%

Volatility

ISVL vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (ISVL) is 4.21%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a volatility of 50.50%. This indicates that ISVL 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

	ISVL	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	50.50%	-46.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.16%	122.03%	-109.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.57%	140.25%	-125.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	111.49%	-94.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.78%	110.52%	-93.74%

ISVL vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISVL has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than GDXU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISVL vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

ISVL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ISVL iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF	2.49%	2.69%	3.92%	3.82%	3.37%	2.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISVL and GDXU in my portfolio?

ISVL and GDXU have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISVL or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (50.50%) compared to ISVL (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISVL dropped -30.48% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, ISVL or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, ISVL leads with 10.12% vs -14.72% for GDXU. On fees, ISVL is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, ISVL has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISVL or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, ISVL has performed better with a 10.12% return vs -14.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISVL or GDXU?

ISVL is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for GDXU.

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

ISVL has the higher dividend yield at 2.49%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.

What is the main difference between ISVL and GDXU?

ISVL is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while GDXU is Leveraged Equities. ISVL tracks FTSE Developed ex US ex Korea Small Cap Focused Value Index, while GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for ISVL and 0.95% for GDXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISVL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.28), 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.