MIDU vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MIDU (Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds - MIDU tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%) while GDXU tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MIDU returned 2.80%/yr vs -10.23%/yr for GDXU. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MIDU charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

MIDU vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MIDU achieves a 39.05% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -41.62% return.

MIDU

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 7.52%
• YTD: 39.05%
• 6M: 36.50%
• 1Y: 68.28%
• 3Y*: 28.14%
• 5Y*: 2.80%
• 10Y*: 11.79%

GDXU

• 1D: 3.90%
• 1M: -8.04%
• YTD: -41.62%
• 6M: -31.92%
• 1Y: 76.85%
• 3Y*: 47.72%
• 5Y*: -10.23%
• 10Y*: —

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

MIDU vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MIDU Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares	39.05%	-2.75%	20.32%	27.79%	-49.27%	72.89%	14.69%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN	-41.62%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-54.93%	4.66%

Correlation

The correlation between MIDU and GDXU is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2020	0.31

MIDU vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MIDU	GDXU
Industrials	25.0%	-
Technology	15.7%	-
Financial Services	14.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	-
Healthcare	8.6%	-
Real Estate	7.5%	-
Energy	5.5%	-
Basic Materials	4.8%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	-
Utilities	3.1%	-
Communication Services	1.0%	-

Return for Risk

MIDU vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

MIDU

MIDU Risk / Return Rank: 46
MIDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
MIDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
MIDU Omega Ratio Rank: 40
MIDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
MIDU Martin Ratio Rank: 52

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 25
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
GDXU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

MIDU vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (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.

	MIDU	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	0.56	+0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	1.56	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.22	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	1.04	+1.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.83	2.11	+6.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MIDU vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MIDU Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MIDU 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

	MIDU	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	0.56	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	-0.09	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	-0.08	+0.43

Drawdowns

MIDU vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MIDU drawdown since its inception was -86.26%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MIDU and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	MIDU	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.26%	-94.39%	+8.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.80%	-73.99%	+48.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.41%	-73.99%	+13.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.14%	-92.93%	+28.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-86.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.21%	-72.90%	+69.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.43%	-69.77%	+47.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.76%	36.52%	-28.76%

Volatility

MIDU vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU) is 12.47%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU) has a volatility of 46.65%. This indicates that MIDU 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

	MIDU	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.47%	46.65%	-34.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.69%	118.08%	-84.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.28%	137.54%	-91.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	59.44%	110.85%	-51.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.58%	110.00%	-46.42%

MIDU vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

MIDU has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

MIDU vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

MIDU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.64%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MIDU Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares	0.64%	1.04%	1.10%	1.43%	0.11%	0.00%	0.06%	0.71%	0.70%	2.67%	1.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MIDU and GDXU in my portfolio?

MIDU and GDXU have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MIDU or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (46.65%) compared to MIDU (12.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MIDU dropped -86.26% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, MIDU or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, MIDU leads with 2.80% vs -10.23% for GDXU. On fees, GDXU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, MIDU has been the lower-risk option at 12.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MIDU or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, MIDU has performed better with a 2.80% return vs -10.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MIDU or GDXU?

GDXU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for MIDU.

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

MIDU has the higher dividend yield at 0.64%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.

What is the main difference between MIDU and GDXU?

MIDU tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%), while GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and BMO. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for MIDU and 0.95% for GDXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MIDU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 0.56), 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.