KORU vs. NUGT

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

KORU (Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KORU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea 25-50 Index, while NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, KORU returned 17.17%/yr vs -12.40%/yr for NUGT. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KORU charges 1.29%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

KORU vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KORU achieves a 356.66% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -35.52% return. Over the past 10 years, KORU has outperformed NUGT with an annualized return of 17.17%, while NUGT has yielded a comparatively lower -12.40% annualized return.

KORU

• 1D: 11.85%
• 1M: -18.31%
• YTD: 356.66%
• 6M: 393.86%
• 1Y: 905.39%
• 3Y*: 110.38%
• 5Y*: 14.71%
• 10Y*: 17.17%

NUGT

• 1D: 3.02%
• 1M: -29.37%
• YTD: -35.52%
• 6M: -41.56%
• 1Y: 59.76%
• 3Y*: 52.08%
• 5Y*: 15.88%
• 10Y*: -12.40%

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

KORU vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	356.66%	432.73%	-62.18%	28.61%	-70.16%	-33.86%	48.78%	5.47%	-59.89%	167.08%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-35.52%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	-60.16%	100.73%	-44.52%	3.73%

Correlation

The correlation between KORU and NUGT is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2013	0.24

The correlation between KORU and NUGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (all time) to 0.40 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

KORU vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KORU	NUGT
Technology	63.4%	-
Industrials	15.2%	-
Financial Services	7.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	-
Healthcare	2.5%	-
Communication Services	2.1%	-
Basic Materials	1.4%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.3%	-
Energy	0.9%	-
Utilities	0.3%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

KORU vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

KORU

KORU Risk / Return Rank: 95
KORU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
KORU Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
KORU Omega Ratio Rank: 92
KORU Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
KORU Martin Ratio Rank: 98

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 24
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 29
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

KORU vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT). 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.

	KORU	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.35	0.64	+5.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	1.34	+2.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.18	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	14.90	0.95	+13.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	43.11	2.21	+40.90

KORU vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KORU Sharpe Ratio is 6.35, which is higher than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KORU and NUGT, 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

KORU vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KORU drawdown since its inception was -95.79%, roughly equal to the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KORU and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	KORU	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.79%	-99.97%	+4.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-61.39%	-63.43%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-73.34%	-63.43%	-9.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-93.34%	-73.72%	-19.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-95.79%	-96.91%	+1.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-34.45%	-99.85%	+65.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-57.40%	-91.53%	+34.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.18%	27.10%	-5.92%

Volatility

KORU vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) has a higher volatility of 88.86% compared to Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) at 34.79%. This indicates that KORU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KORU	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	88.86%	34.79%	+54.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	139.03%	80.31%	+58.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	144.03%	94.54%	+49.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	91.57%	73.03%	+18.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	83.10%	87.98%	-4.88%

KORU vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

KORU has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than NUGT's 1.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

KORU vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

KORU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, less than NUGT's 0.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	0.19%	0.89%	4.10%	2.55%	0.48%	0.76%	0.01%	0.93%	1.40%	3.59%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.61%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KORU and NUGT in my portfolio?

KORU and NUGT have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KORU or NUGT?

KORU has higher volatility (88.86%) compared to NUGT (34.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KORU dropped -95.79% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, KORU or NUGT?

On 10-year performance, KORU leads with 17.17% vs -12.40% for NUGT. On fees, NUGT is cheaper at 1.13% per year. On volatility, NUGT has been the lower-risk option at 34.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KORU or NUGT?

Over the 10-year period, KORU has performed better with a 17.17% return vs -12.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KORU or NUGT?

NUGT is cheaper with a 1.13% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for KORU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KORU or NUGT?

NUGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.61%, compared with 0.19% for KORU.

What is the main difference between KORU and NUGT?

KORU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while NUGT is Gold. KORU tracks MSCI Korea 25-50 Index, while NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Their fees differ too: 1.29% for KORU and 1.13% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KORU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.35 vs 0.64), 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.