NUGT vs. FLYU

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) and FLYU (MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs) are both exchange-traded funds - NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%), while FLYU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MerQube MicroSectors U.S. Travel Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, NUGT returned 45.28%/yr vs -1.34%/yr for FLYU. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUGT charges 1.13%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FLYU.

Performance

NUGT vs. FLYU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUGT achieves a -39.10% return, which is significantly lower than FLYU's -17.85% return.

NUGT

• 1D: 9.53%
• 1M: -21.00%
• 6M: -57.23%
• YTD: -39.10%
• 1Y: 46.53%
• 3Y*: 45.28%
• 5Y*: 15.97%
• 10Y*: -14.12%
• ALL TIME*: -33.85%

FLYU

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -9.91%
• 6M: -9.30%
• YTD: -17.85%
• 1Y: -22.80%
• 3Y*: -1.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.87%

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

NUGT vs. FLYU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-39.10%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-19.03%
FLYU MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs	-17.85%	-2.29%	33.00%	111.16%	-19.09%

Correlation

The correlation between NUGT and FLYU is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2022	0.22

NUGT vs. FLYU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUGT	FLYU
Basic Materials	100.0%	-
Communication Services	-	13.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	52.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	17.7%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	16.4%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NUGT vs. FLYU — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 24
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 31
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

FLYU

FLYU Risk / Return Rank: 7
FLYU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
FLYU Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
FLYU Omega Ratio Rank: 9
FLYU Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
FLYU Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

NUGT vs. FLYU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) and MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs (FLYU). 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.

	NUGT	FLYU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.49	-0.31	+0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	0.03	+1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.00	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	-0.44	+1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.47	-0.88	+2.35

NUGT vs. FLYU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUGT Sharpe Ratio is 0.49, which is higher than the FLYU Sharpe Ratio of -0.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUGT and FLYU, 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

NUGT vs. FLYU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUGT drawdown since its inception was -99.97%, which is greater than FLYU's maximum drawdown of -69.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUGT and FLYU.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUGT	FLYU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.97%	-69.00%	-30.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.40%	-52.33%	-15.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-67.40%	-69.00%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.72%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-96.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.86%	-34.84%	-65.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-91.57%	-26.59%	-64.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	31.68%	25.94%	+5.74%

Volatility

NUGT vs. FLYU - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) has a higher volatility of 24.61% compared to MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs (FLYU) at 17.61%. This indicates that NUGT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FLYU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUGT	FLYU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.61%	17.61%	+7.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	80.75%	61.02%	+19.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	95.76%	74.53%	+21.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	73.43%	82.89%	-9.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	87.54%	82.89%	+4.65%

NUGT vs. FLYU - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUGT has a 1.13% expense ratio, which is higher than FLYU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUGT vs. FLYU - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FLYU MicroSectors Travel 3X Leveraged ETNs	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.64%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUGT and FLYU in my portfolio?

NUGT and FLYU have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUGT or FLYU?

NUGT has higher volatility (24.61%) compared to FLYU (17.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUGT dropped -99.97% vs FLYU's -69.00%.

Which ETF is better, NUGT or FLYU?

On 3-year performance, NUGT leads with 45.28% vs -1.34% for FLYU. On fees, FLYU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, FLYU has been the lower-risk option at 17.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUGT or FLYU?

Over the 3-year period, NUGT has performed better with a 45.28% return vs -1.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUGT or FLYU?

FLYU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.13% for NUGT.

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

NUGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.64%, compared with 0.00% for FLYU.

What is the main difference between NUGT and FLYU?

NUGT is categorized as Gold, while FLYU is Leveraged Equities. NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%), while FLYU tracks MerQube MicroSectors U.S. Travel Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and REX. Their fees differ too: 1.13% for NUGT and 0.95% for FLYU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.49 vs -0.31), 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.