JDST vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

JDST (Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - JDST is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (-300%), while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, JDST returned -64.82%/yr vs 13.42%/yr for IAU. At a correlation of -0.75, they often move in opposite directions. JDST charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

JDST vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares (JDST) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JDST achieves a -35.89% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 4.00% return. Over the past 10 years, JDST has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of -64.82%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.42% annualized return.

JDST

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: -7.51%
• YTD: -35.89%
• 6M: -46.82%
• 1Y: -81.68%
• 3Y*: -69.10%
• 5Y*: -52.94%
• 10Y*: -64.82%

IAU

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.00%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 32.38%
• 3Y*: 31.72%
• 5Y*: 18.82%
• 10Y*: 13.42%

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

JDST vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JDST Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares	-35.89%	-91.10%	-40.98%	-28.29%	-26.25%	10.97%	-95.97%	-80.30%	-1.60%	-63.44%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	4.00%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between JDST and IAU is -0.78, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2013	-0.75

The correlation between JDST and IAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.79 to -0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JDST vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

JDST

JDST Risk / Return Rank: 1
JDST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
JDST Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
JDST Omega Ratio Rank: 1
JDST Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
JDST Martin Ratio Rank: 2

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

JDST vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares (JDST) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.

	JDST	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.83	1.23	-2.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.79	1.63	-3.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.81	1.25	-0.44
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.94	1.87	-2.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.29	4.69	-5.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JDST vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JDST Sharpe Ratio is -0.83, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JDST and IAU, 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

	JDST	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.83	1.23	-2.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.66	1.05	-1.71
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.62	0.85	-1.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.59	0.63	-1.22

Drawdowns

JDST vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JDST drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JDST and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	JDST	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-45.14%	-54.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-88.98%	-19.18%	-69.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-98.58%	-19.18%	-79.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.28%	-20.93%	-78.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-100.00%	-21.82%	-78.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	-16.88%	-83.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-95.32%	-15.96%	-79.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	65.20%	7.63%	+57.57%

Volatility

JDST vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares (JDST) has a higher volatility of 32.18% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.78%. This indicates that JDST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JDST	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	32.18%	5.78%	+26.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	79.24%	23.00%	+56.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	98.90%	26.51%	+72.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.87%	17.96%	+62.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	104.74%	15.90%	+88.84%

JDST vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

JDST has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

JDST vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

JDST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.55%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
JDST Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares	12.55%	15.08%	6.50%	4.81%	0.00%	0.00%	11.75%	3.16%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JDST and IAU in my portfolio?

JDST and IAU have a correlation of -0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JDST or IAU?

JDST has higher volatility (32.18%) compared to IAU (5.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JDST dropped -100.00% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, JDST or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.42% vs -64.82% for JDST. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JDST or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.42% return vs -64.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JDST or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for JDST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JDST or IAU?

JDST has the higher dividend yield at 12.55%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between JDST and IAU?

JDST is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while IAU is Gold. JDST tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (-300%), while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for JDST and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs -0.83), 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.