JNUG vs. GDXJ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

JNUG (Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2x Shares) and GDXJ (VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JNUG is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (300%), while GDXJ is a Materials fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, JNUG returned -23.85%/yr vs 13.58%/yr for GDXJ. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. JNUG charges 1.17%/yr vs 0.54%/yr for GDXJ.

Performance

JNUG vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2x Shares (JNUG) and VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JNUG achieves a -13.94% return, which is significantly lower than GDXJ's 1.93% return. Over the past 10 years, JNUG has underperformed GDXJ with an annualized return of -23.85%, while GDXJ has yielded a comparatively higher 13.58% annualized return.

JNUG

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: -2.04%
• YTD: -13.94%
• 6M: -0.62%
• 1Y: 112.06%
• 3Y*: 71.84%
• 5Y*: 12.42%
• 10Y*: -23.85%

GDXJ

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 1.93%
• 6M: 10.59%
• 1Y: 70.87%
• 3Y*: 48.33%
• 5Y*: 18.98%
• 10Y*: 13.58%

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

JNUG vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JNUG Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2x Shares	-13.94%	478.59%	9.96%	-4.79%	-43.60%	-46.61%	-85.51%	82.43%	-48.11%	-20.18%
GDXJ VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF	1.93%	172.28%	15.67%	7.12%	-14.53%	-21.25%	30.40%	40.44%	-11.02%	8.22%

Correlation

The correlation between JNUG and GDXJ is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2013	0.99

The correlation between JNUG and GDXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

JNUG vs. GDXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JNUG	GDXJ
Basic Materials	100.0%	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

JNUG vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

JNUG

JNUG Risk / Return Rank: 37
JNUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
JNUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
JNUG Omega Ratio Rank: 37
JNUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
JNUG Martin Ratio Rank: 36

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 40
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

JNUG vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2x Shares (JNUG) and VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ). 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.

	JNUG	GDXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.44	-0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.76	1.85	-0.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.26	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.48	-0.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.48	6.25	-0.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JNUG vs. GDXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JNUG Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is comparable to the GDXJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JNUG and GDXJ, 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

	JNUG	GDXJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.14	1.44	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.46	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.22	0.31	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.29	0.06	-0.35

Drawdowns

JNUG vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JNUG drawdown since its inception was -99.95%, which is greater than GDXJ's maximum drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JNUG and GDXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	JNUG	GDXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.95%	-88.66%	-11.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-56.39%	-32.92%	-23.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.39%	-32.92%	-23.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-80.95%	-50.99%	-29.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.66%	-57.77%	-41.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.52%	-25.74%	-73.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-93.89%	-60.51%	-33.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	25.28%	13.06%	+12.22%

Volatility

JNUG vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2x Shares (JNUG) has a higher volatility of 31.67% compared to VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) at 16.14%. This indicates that JNUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JNUG	GDXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	31.67%	16.14%	+15.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	83.60%	41.10%	+42.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	99.37%	49.94%	+49.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.40%	41.10%	+39.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	106.52%	44.04%	+62.48%

JNUG vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

JNUG has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXJ's 0.54% expense ratio.

Dividends

JNUG vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison

JNUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than GDXJ's 2.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDXJ VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF	2.28%	2.33%	2.61%	0.72%	0.51%	1.78%	1.58%	0.39%	0.45%	0.03%	4.78%	0.72%
JNUG Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2x Shares	1.43%	1.04%	2.01%	1.62%	0.00%	0.52%	0.10%	0.46%	0.06%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JNUG and GDXJ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, JNUG and GDXJ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, JNUG or GDXJ?

JNUG has higher volatility (31.67%) compared to GDXJ (16.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JNUG dropped -99.95% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.

Which ETF is better, JNUG or GDXJ?

On 10-year performance, GDXJ leads with 13.58% vs -23.85% for JNUG. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.54% per year. On volatility, GDXJ has been the lower-risk option at 16.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JNUG or GDXJ?

Over the 10-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 13.58% return vs -23.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JNUG or GDXJ?

GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 1.17% for JNUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JNUG or GDXJ?

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.28%, compared with 1.43% for JNUG.

What is the main difference between JNUG and GDXJ?

JNUG is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while GDXJ is Materials. JNUG tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (300%), while GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 1.17% for JNUG and 0.54% for GDXJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.14), 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.