NUGT vs. SOXL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%), while SOXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NUGT returned -11.63%/yr vs 64.56%/yr for SOXL. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUGT charges 1.13%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SOXL.

Performance

NUGT vs. SOXL - 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 Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUGT achieves a -32.09% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 450.61% return. Over the past 10 years, NUGT has underperformed SOXL with an annualized return of -11.63%, while SOXL has yielded a comparatively higher 64.56% annualized return.

NUGT

• 1D: -9.53%
• 1M: -19.60%
• YTD: -32.09%
• 6M: -39.03%
• 1Y: 60.88%
• 3Y*: 55.65%
• 5Y*: 17.04%
• 10Y*: -11.63%

SOXL

• 1D: -23.06%
• 1M: 21.44%
• YTD: 450.61%
• 6M: 429.57%
• 1Y: 976.09%
• 3Y*: 120.84%
• 5Y*: 42.16%
• 10Y*: 64.56%

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

NUGT vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-32.09%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	-60.16%	100.73%	-44.52%	3.73%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	450.61%	54.91%	-12.31%	226.98%	-85.66%	118.84%	70.04%	231.83%	-39.07%	141.71%

Correlation

The correlation between NUGT and SOXL is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2010	0.15

The correlation between NUGT and SOXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (10 years) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NUGT vs. SOXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

NUGT vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 23
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 27
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

SOXL

SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 96
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. SOXL - 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 Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). 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	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	8.45	-7.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	4.03	-2.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.58	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	22.69	-21.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.30	72.83	-70.53

NUGT vs. SOXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUGT Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the SOXL Sharpe Ratio of 8.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUGT and SOXL, 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. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUGT drawdown since its inception was -99.97%, which is greater than SOXL's maximum drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUGT and SOXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUGT	SOXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.97%	-90.46%	-9.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-63.43%	-43.47%	-19.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-63.43%	-87.88%	+24.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.72%	-90.46%	+16.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-96.91%	-90.46%	-6.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.84%	-23.06%	-76.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-91.53%	-34.95%	-56.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.52%	13.52%	+13.00%

Volatility

NUGT vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is 35.11%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 68.39%. This indicates that NUGT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUGT	SOXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	35.11%	68.39%	-33.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	80.35%	99.84%	-19.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	94.31%	116.79%	-22.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	72.94%	110.35%	-37.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	87.97%	100.62%	-12.65%

NUGT vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUGT has a 1.13% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUGT vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison

NUGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, more than SOXL's 0.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.44%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	0.03%	0.34%	1.18%	0.51%	1.07%	0.04%	0.05%	0.38%	1.30%	0.09%	4.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUGT and SOXL in my portfolio?

NUGT and SOXL have a correlation of 0.32, 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 SOXL?

SOXL has higher volatility (68.39%) compared to NUGT (35.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUGT dropped -99.97% vs SOXL's -90.46%.

Which ETF is better, NUGT or SOXL?

On 10-year performance, SOXL leads with 64.56% vs -11.63% for NUGT. On fees, SOXL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, NUGT has been the lower-risk option at 35.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUGT or SOXL?

Over the 10-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 64.56% return vs -11.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUGT or SOXL?

SOXL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.13% for NUGT.

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

NUGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.03% for SOXL.

What is the main difference between NUGT and SOXL?

NUGT is categorized as Gold, while SOXL is Leveraged Equities. NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%), while SOXL tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 1.13% for NUGT and 0.75% for SOXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.45 vs 0.65), 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.