NUGT vs. TQQQ

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) and TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%), while TQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NUGT returned -14.90%/yr vs 40.58%/yr for TQQQ. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUGT charges 1.13%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TQQQ.

Performance

NUGT vs. TQQQ - 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 ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUGT achieves a -44.40% return, which is significantly lower than TQQQ's 28.83% return. Over the past 10 years, NUGT has underperformed TQQQ with an annualized return of -14.90%, while TQQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 40.58% annualized return.

NUGT

• 1D: -1.54%
• 1M: -27.87%
• 6M: -56.49%
• YTD: -44.40%
• 1Y: 43.44%
• 3Y*: 40.94%
• 5Y*: 13.60%
• 10Y*: -14.90%
• ALL TIME*: -34.24%

TQQQ

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -18.18%
• 6M: 25.45%
• YTD: 28.83%
• 1Y: 56.98%
• 3Y*: 48.57%
• 5Y*: 17.01%
• 10Y*: 40.58%
• ALL TIME*: 42.82%

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

NUGT vs. TQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-44.40%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	-60.16%	100.73%	-44.52%	3.73%
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	28.83%	34.35%	58.27%	198.04%	-79.09%	82.98%	110.05%	133.84%	-19.79%	118.06%

Correlation

The correlation between NUGT and TQQQ is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2010	0.16

Over the past year, NUGT and TQQQ have become more correlated (0.38) than their long-term average of 0.16, meaning their price movements have been converging.

NUGT vs. TQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUGT	TQQQ
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. TQQQ — 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: 19
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 30
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 19

TQQQ

TQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 38
TQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
TQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
TQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 38
TQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
TQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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. TQQQ - 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 ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). 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	TQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.46	1.03	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	1.55	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.20	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.65	1.55	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.39	4.64	-3.26

NUGT vs. TQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUGT Sharpe Ratio is 0.46, which is lower than the TQQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUGT and TQQQ, 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. TQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUGT drawdown since its inception was -99.97%, which is greater than TQQQ's maximum drawdown of -81.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUGT and TQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUGT	TQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.97%	-81.66%	-18.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.40%	-36.97%	-30.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-67.40%	-58.04%	-9.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.72%	-81.66%	+7.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-96.91%	-81.66%	-15.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.87%	-22.26%	-77.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-91.57%	-18.48%	-73.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	31.42%	12.30%	+19.12%

Volatility

NUGT vs. TQQQ - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) and ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) have volatilities of 22.32% and 21.96%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUGT	TQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.32%	21.96%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	80.16%	46.26%	+33.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	95.51%	55.82%	+39.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	73.31%	67.79%	+5.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	87.49%	66.44%	+21.05%

NUGT vs. TQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

NUGT vs. TQQQ - Dividend Comparison

NUGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, more than TQQQ's 0.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.70%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	0.56%	0.65%	1.27%	1.26%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.06%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUGT and TQQQ in my portfolio?

NUGT and TQQQ have a correlation of 0.38, 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 TQQQ?

NUGT has higher volatility (22.32%) compared to TQQQ (21.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUGT dropped -99.97% vs TQQQ's -81.66%.

Which ETF is better, NUGT or TQQQ?

On 10-year performance, TQQQ leads with 40.58% vs -14.90% for NUGT. On fees, TQQQ is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, TQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 21.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUGT or TQQQ?

Over the 10-year period, TQQQ has performed better with a 40.58% return vs -14.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUGT or TQQQ?

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

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

NUGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.70%, compared with 0.56% for TQQQ.

What is the main difference between NUGT and TQQQ?

NUGT is categorized as Gold, while TQQQ is Leveraged Equities. NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%), while TQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 1.13% for NUGT and 0.95% for TQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.03 vs 0.46), 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.