OILU vs. NUGT

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - OILU is a Leveraged Commodities fund managed by BMO, while NUGT is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (300%). Over the past 3 years, OILU returned 6.45%/yr vs 55.24%/yr for NUGT. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. OILU charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

OILU vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OILU achieves a 80.85% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -27.03% return.

OILU

• 1D: 2.31%
• 1M: -5.32%
• YTD: 80.85%
• 6M: 71.72%
• 1Y: 79.06%
• 3Y*: 6.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NUGT

• 1D: 5.72%
• 1M: -33.37%
• YTD: -27.03%
• 6M: -26.67%
• 1Y: 69.38%
• 3Y*: 55.24%
• 5Y*: 13.62%
• 10Y*: -9.77%

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

OILU vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	80.85%	-16.50%	-21.65%	-32.50%	151.08%	-16.79%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	-27.03%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-3.20%

Correlation

The correlation between OILU and NUGT is -0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021	0.21

The correlation between OILU and NUGT shifts across timeframes, from -0.05 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

OILU vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

OILU vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

OILU

OILU Risk / Return Rank: 42
OILU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
OILU Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
OILU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
OILU Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
OILU Martin Ratio Rank: 40

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 27
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 33
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

OILU vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT). 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.

	OILU	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	0.75	+0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	1.42	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.20	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	1.10	+1.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.62	2.75	+2.87

OILU vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OILU Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is higher than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OILU and NUGT, 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

OILU vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OILU drawdown since its inception was -81.00%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OILU and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	OILU	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.00%	-99.97%	+18.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.51%	-63.43%	+29.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-69.09%	-63.43%	-5.66%
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	-51.36%	-99.83%	+48.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-50.54%	-91.52%	+40.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.12%	25.30%	-11.18%

Volatility

OILU vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) is 21.88%, while Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT) has a volatility of 34.50%. This indicates that OILU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OILU	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.88%	34.50%	-12.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	50.72%	78.60%	-27.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	62.50%	92.79%	-30.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	81.07%	72.64%	+8.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	81.07%	88.12%	-7.05%

OILU vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

OILU has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

OILU vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

OILU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NUGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.41%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	0.41%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OILU and NUGT in my portfolio?

OILU and NUGT have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OILU or NUGT?

NUGT has higher volatility (34.50%) compared to OILU (21.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OILU dropped -81.00% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, OILU or NUGT?

On 3-year performance, NUGT leads with 55.24% vs 6.45% for OILU. On fees, OILU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, OILU has been the lower-risk option at 21.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OILU or NUGT?

Over the 3-year period, NUGT has performed better with a 55.24% return vs 6.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OILU or NUGT?

OILU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.23% for NUGT.

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

NUGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.41%, compared with 0.00% for OILU.

What is the main difference between OILU and NUGT?

OILU is categorized as Leveraged Commodities, while NUGT is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: BMO and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for OILU and 1.23% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OILU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 0.75), 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.