NAIL vs. NUGT

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

NAIL (Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NAIL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index (300%), while NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NAIL returned 3.21%/yr vs -15.01%/yr for NUGT. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NAIL charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

NAIL vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL) 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, NAIL achieves a -16.63% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -37.58% return. Over the past 10 years, NAIL has outperformed NUGT with an annualized return of 3.21%, while NUGT has yielded a comparatively lower -15.01% annualized return.

NAIL

• 1D: 2.44%
• 1M: -4.01%
• 6M: -41.20%
• YTD: -16.63%
• 1Y: -31.84%
• 3Y*: -20.84%
• 5Y*: -9.46%
• 10Y*: 3.21%

NUGT

• 1D: 4.04%
• 1M: -14.45%
• 6M: -50.47%
• YTD: -37.58%
• 1Y: 52.80%
• 3Y*: 44.99%
• 5Y*: 14.43%
• 10Y*: -15.01%

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

NAIL vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NAIL Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares	-16.63%	-40.43%	-22.83%	259.61%	-75.23%	168.20%	-32.08%	184.63%	-73.96%	268.71%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-37.58%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	-60.16%	100.73%	-44.52%	3.73%

Correlation

The correlation between NAIL and NUGT is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
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	0.14

The correlation between NAIL and NUGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (all time) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NAIL vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NAIL	NUGT
Consumer Cyclical	71.3%	-
Industrials	19.5%	-
Basic Materials	8.7%	100.0%
Real Estate	0.5%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NAIL vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

NAIL

NAIL Risk / Return Rank: 7
NAIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
NAIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
NAIL Omega Ratio Rank: 8
NAIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
NAIL Martin Ratio Rank: 6

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 24
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 30
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	NAIL	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.36	0.56	-0.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.01	1.28	-1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.17	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.47	0.82	-1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.76	1.75	-2.51

NAIL vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NAIL Sharpe Ratio is -0.36, which is lower than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NAIL 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

NAIL vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NAIL drawdown since its inception was -93.75%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NAIL and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NAIL	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.75%	-99.97%	+6.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.85%	-64.82%	-3.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-82.09%	-64.82%	-17.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-84.40%	-73.72%	-10.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-93.75%	-96.91%	+3.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-76.18%	-99.85%	+23.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.08%	-91.56%	+47.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	41.98%	30.29%	+11.69%

Volatility

NAIL vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares (NAIL) has a higher volatility of 28.94% compared to Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) at 27.51%. This indicates that NAIL'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

	NAIL	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	28.94%	27.51%	+1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	63.56%	80.24%	-16.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	89.78%	95.08%	-5.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	87.93%	73.31%	+14.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	89.63%	87.69%	+1.94%

NAIL vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

NAIL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

NAIL vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

NAIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, more than NUGT's 0.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NAIL Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X Shares	0.75%	1.55%	0.63%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%	0.17%	0.35%	1.25%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.63%	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 NAIL and NUGT in my portfolio?

NAIL and NUGT have a correlation of 0.28, 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 NUGT?

NAIL has higher volatility (28.94%) compared to NUGT (27.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NAIL dropped -93.75% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, NAIL or NUGT?

On 10-year performance, NAIL leads with 3.21% vs -15.01% for NUGT. On fees, NAIL is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, NUGT has been the lower-risk option at 27.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NAIL or NUGT?

Over the 10-year period, NAIL has performed better with a 3.21% return vs -15.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NAIL or NUGT?

NAIL is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.13% for NUGT.

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

NAIL has the higher dividend yield at 0.75%, compared with 0.63% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between NAIL and NUGT?

NAIL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while NUGT is Gold. NAIL tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index (300%), while NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Their fees differ too: 0.99% for NAIL and 1.13% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.56 vs -0.36), 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.