NUGT vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040) are both exchange-traded funds - NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%), while GDXU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUGT returned 19.48%/yr vs -8.03%/yr for GDXU. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NUGT charges 1.13%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

NUGT vs. GDXU - 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 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, NUGT achieves a -24.93% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -54.87% return.

NUGT

• 1D: -2.62%
• 1M: -11.13%
• YTD: -24.93%
• 6M: -32.67%
• 1Y: 82.75%
• 3Y*: 60.93%
• 5Y*: 19.48%
• 10Y*: -10.74%

GDXU

• 1D: -3.77%
• 1M: -22.15%
• YTD: -54.87%
• 6M: -61.87%
• 1Y: 47.73%
• 3Y*: 45.15%
• 5Y*: -8.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

NUGT vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-24.93%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	0.14%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	-54.87%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-54.93%	4.32%

Correlation

The correlation between NUGT and GDXU is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2020	0.99

The correlation between NUGT and GDXU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

NUGT vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUGT	GDXU
Basic Materials	100.0%	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NUGT vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 28
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 32
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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: 15
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.

NUGT vs. GDXU - 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 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.

	NUGT	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.89	0.33	+0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	1.41	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.19	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	0.57	+0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.16	1.20	+1.96

NUGT vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUGT Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUGT 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

NUGT vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUGT drawdown since its inception was -99.97%, which is greater than GDXU's maximum drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUGT and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUGT	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.97%	-94.39%	-5.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-63.43%	-83.97%	+20.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-63.43%	-83.97%	+20.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.72%	-91.30%	+17.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-96.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.82%	-79.05%	-20.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-91.53%	-69.79%	-21.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.25%	39.79%	-13.54%

Volatility

NUGT vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is 33.85%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a volatility of 53.36%. This indicates that NUGT 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

	NUGT	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	33.85%	53.36%	-19.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	79.75%	125.48%	-45.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	93.97%	143.87%	-49.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	72.81%	112.23%	-39.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	88.09%	111.12%	-23.03%

NUGT vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

NUGT vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

NUGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.40%	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 GDXU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, NUGT and GDXU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NUGT or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (53.36%) compared to NUGT (33.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUGT dropped -99.97% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, NUGT or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, NUGT leads with 19.48% vs -8.03% for GDXU. On fees, GDXU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, NUGT has been the lower-risk option at 33.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUGT or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, NUGT has performed better with a 19.48% return vs -8.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUGT or GDXU?

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

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

NUGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.40%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.

What is the main difference between NUGT and GDXU?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.89 vs 0.33), 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.