NAIL vs. GDX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

NAIL (Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NAIL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index (300%), while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NAIL returned 3.80%/yr vs 12.82%/yr for GDX. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NAIL charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

NAIL vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NAIL achieves a -23.54% return, which is significantly lower than GDX's -8.28% return. Over the past 10 years, NAIL has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of 3.80%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.82% annualized return.

NAIL

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: -3.69%
• YTD: -23.54%
• 6M: -33.60%
• 1Y: -22.27%
• 3Y*: -13.87%
• 5Y*: -13.16%
• 10Y*: 3.80%

GDX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -16.83%
• YTD: -8.28%
• 6M: 0.10%
• 1Y: 53.51%
• 3Y*: 37.89%
• 5Y*: 17.28%
• 10Y*: 12.82%

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

NAIL vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NAIL Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares	-23.54%	-40.43%	-22.83%	259.61%	-75.23%	168.20%	-32.08%	184.63%	-73.96%	268.71%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-8.28%	154.77%	10.63%	9.98%	-9.01%	-9.52%	23.66%	39.84%	-8.77%	11.99%

Correlation

The correlation between NAIL and GDX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2015	0.15

NAIL vs. GDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NAIL	GDX
Consumer Cyclical	71.8%	-
Industrials	19.1%	-
Basic Materials	8.6%	100.0%
Real Estate	0.5%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NAIL vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NAIL

NAIL Risk / Return Rank: 8
NAIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
NAIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
NAIL Omega Ratio Rank: 10
NAIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
NAIL Martin Ratio Rank: 7

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 35
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

NAIL vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). 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.

	NAIL	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.26	1.16	-1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.22	1.58	-1.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.22	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.33	1.68	-2.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.58	4.32	-4.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NAIL vs. GDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NAIL Sharpe Ratio is -0.26, which is lower than the GDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NAIL and GDX, 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

	NAIL	GDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.26	1.16	-1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.15	0.47	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04	0.35	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.00	0.12	-0.12

Drawdowns

NAIL vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NAIL drawdown since its inception was -93.75%, which is greater than GDX's maximum drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NAIL and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NAIL	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.75%	-80.34%	-13.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.85%	-32.09%	-35.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-82.09%	-32.09%	-50.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-84.40%	-46.51%	-37.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-93.75%	-49.79%	-43.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.15%	-32.09%	-46.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.83%	-40.43%	-3.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	38.74%	12.42%	+26.32%

Volatility

NAIL vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL) has a higher volatility of 21.13% compared to VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) at 16.05%. This indicates that NAIL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NAIL	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.13%	16.05%	+5.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	60.31%	38.61%	+21.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	87.48%	46.36%	+41.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	86.98%	36.61%	+50.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	89.20%	37.27%	+51.93%

NAIL vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NAIL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

NAIL vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

NAIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, more than GDX's 0.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	0.80%	0.74%	1.19%	1.61%	1.66%	1.67%	0.53%	0.67%	0.50%	0.76%	0.26%	0.85%
NAIL Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares	1.04%	1.55%	0.63%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%	0.17%	0.35%	1.25%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NAIL and GDX in my portfolio?

NAIL and GDX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NAIL or GDX?

NAIL has higher volatility (21.13%) compared to GDX (16.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NAIL dropped -93.75% vs GDX's -80.34%.

Which ETF is better, NAIL or GDX?

On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 12.82% vs 3.80% for NAIL. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, GDX has been the lower-risk option at 16.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NAIL or GDX?

Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 12.82% return vs 3.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NAIL or GDX?

GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for NAIL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NAIL or GDX?

NAIL has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.80% for GDX.

What is the main difference between NAIL and GDX?

NAIL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while GDX is Gold. NAIL tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index (300%), while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for NAIL and 0.51% for GDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.16 vs -0.26), 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.