NRG vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

NRG (NRG Energy, Inc.) 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, NRG returned 30.96%/yr vs -14.73%/yr for GDXU. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

NRG vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) 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, NRG achieves a -20.72% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -56.00% return.

NRG

• 1D: 1.43%
• 1M: -4.28%
• YTD: -20.72%
• 6M: -21.80%
• 1Y: -15.96%
• 3Y*: 57.21%
• 5Y*: 30.96%
• 10Y*: 26.90%

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)

NRG vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
NRG NRG Energy, Inc.	-20.72%	78.91%	78.58%	69.36%	-23.47%	18.54%	11.76%
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 NRG and GDXU is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2020	0.20

Return for Risk

NRG vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

NRG

NRG Risk / Return Rank: 25
NRG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
NRG Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
NRG Omega Ratio Rank: 27
NRG Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
NRG Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

NRG vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) 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.

	NRG	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.36	0.22	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.22	1.27	-1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.18	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.47	0.37	-0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.16	0.80	-1.97

NRG vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NRG Sharpe Ratio is -0.36, which is lower than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NRG 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

NRG vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NRG drawdown since its inception was -79.41%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NRG and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	NRG	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.41%	-94.39%	+14.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.24%	-83.97%	+49.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.24%	-83.97%	+49.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.24%	-92.44%	+58.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.61%	-79.58%	+47.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.99%	-69.77%	+41.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.73%	38.59%	-24.86%

Volatility

NRG vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) is 15.26%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a volatility of 54.28%. This indicates that NRG 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

	NRG	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.26%	54.28%	-39.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.10%	123.72%	-88.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.88%	142.00%	-97.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.03%	111.92%	-71.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.16%	110.82%	-71.66%

Dividends

NRG vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

NRG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NRG NRG Energy, Inc.	1.46%	1.11%	1.81%	2.92%	4.40%	3.02%	3.20%	0.30%	0.30%	0.42%	1.92%	4.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NRG and GDXU in my portfolio?

NRG and GDXU have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NRG or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (54.28%) compared to NRG (15.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NRG dropped -79.41% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.22 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.