KGC vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

KGC (Kinross Gold Corporation) is a stock, while GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Over the past 5 years, KGC returned 29.09%/yr vs -14.73%/yr for GDXU. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

KGC vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) 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, KGC achieves a -8.92% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -56.00% return.

KGC

• 1D: 2.90%
• 1M: -18.08%
• YTD: -8.92%
• 6M: -8.14%
• 1Y: 65.63%
• 3Y*: 76.13%
• 5Y*: 29.09%
• 10Y*: 18.81%

GDXU

• 1D: 8.84%
• 1M: -50.11%
• YTD: -56.00%
• 6M: -55.92%
• 1Y: 30.95%
• 3Y*: 37.87%
• 5Y*: -14.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

KGC vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
KGC Kinross Gold Corporation	-8.92%	206.11%	55.63%	51.83%	-27.59%	-19.00%	-0.14%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	-56.00%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-54.93%	4.32%

Correlation

The correlation between KGC and GDXU is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2020	0.88

The correlation between KGC and GDXU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KGC vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

KGC

KGC Risk / Return Rank: 75
KGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
KGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
KGC Omega Ratio Rank: 74
KGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
KGC Martin Ratio Rank: 78

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 19
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 29
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
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.

KGC vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) 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.

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.

	KGC	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	0.22	+1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	1.27	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.18	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	0.37	+1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.20	0.80	+4.40

KGC vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KGC Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KGC 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.

Drawdowns

KGC vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KGC drawdown since its inception was -96.00%, roughly equal to the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KGC and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	KGC	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.00%	-94.39%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-37.69%	-83.97%	+46.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.69%	-83.97%	+46.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-59.29%	-92.44%	+33.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-67.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.63%	-79.58%	+46.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-57.60%	-69.77%	+12.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.66%	38.59%	-25.93%

Volatility

KGC vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) is 18.21%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a volatility of 54.28%. This indicates that KGC 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

	KGC	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.21%	54.28%	-36.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.59%	123.72%	-83.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.35%	142.00%	-90.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.22%	111.92%	-67.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.01%	110.82%	-63.81%

Dividends

KGC vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

KGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
KGC Kinross Gold Corporation	0.57%	0.44%	1.29%	1.98%	2.93%	2.69%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KGC and GDXU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, KGC and GDXU 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, KGC or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (54.28%) compared to KGC (18.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KGC dropped -96.00% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 vs 0.22), 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.