NUGT vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUGT is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (300%), while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NUGT returned -8.54%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUGT charges 1.23%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

NUGT vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUGT achieves a -16.05% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, NUGT has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of -8.54%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

NUGT

• 1D: -6.64%
• 1M: -4.13%
• YTD: -16.05%
• 6M: -6.29%
• 1Y: 97.46%
• 3Y*: 60.96%
• 5Y*: 16.32%
• 10Y*: -8.54%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

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

NUGT vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	-16.05%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	-60.16%	100.73%	-44.52%	3.73%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between NUGT and QQQ is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
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 Dec 9, 2010	0.16

The correlation between NUGT and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NUGT vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUGT	QQQ
Basic Materials	100.0%	1.1%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Industrials	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	53.8%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

NUGT vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 32
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 34
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 29

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

	NUGT	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	2.64	-1.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.67	3.45	-1.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.45	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	3.51	-1.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.18	13.49	-9.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUGT vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUGT Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUGT and QQQ, 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

	NUGT	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.09	2.64	-1.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.81	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.10	0.99	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.33	0.41	-0.74

Drawdowns

NUGT vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUGT drawdown since its inception was -99.97%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUGT and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUGT	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.97%	-82.97%	-17.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-53.58%	-11.96%	-41.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-53.58%	-22.77%	-30.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.72%	-35.12%	-38.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-96.91%	-35.12%	-61.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.80%	-0.26%	-99.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-91.52%	-32.79%	-58.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	23.39%	3.11%	+20.28%

Volatility

NUGT vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT) has a higher volatility of 30.32% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that NUGT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUGT	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	30.32%	4.49%	+25.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	75.18%	12.10%	+63.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	90.01%	15.94%	+74.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	71.96%	22.38%	+49.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	87.90%	22.29%	+65.61%

NUGT vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUGT has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUGT vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

NUGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	0.36%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUGT and QQQ in my portfolio?

NUGT and QQQ have a correlation of 0.33, 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 QQQ?

NUGT has higher volatility (30.32%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUGT dropped -99.97% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, NUGT or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.94% vs -8.54% for NUGT. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUGT or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.94% return vs -8.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUGT or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 1.23% for NUGT.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.36% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between NUGT and QQQ?

NUGT is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. NUGT tracks NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (300%), while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 1.23% for NUGT and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.09), 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.