PLTU vs. NUGT

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

PLTU (Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLTU is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Direxion, while NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). PLTU is actively managed, while NUGT is passively managed. Over the past year, PLTU returned -44.11% vs 54.13% for NUGT. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLTU charges 0.86%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

PLTU vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLTU achieves a -54.93% return, which is significantly lower than NUGT's -39.00% return.

PLTU

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -4.64%
• 6M: -54.76%
• YTD: -54.93%
• 1Y: -44.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NUGT

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -25.97%
• 6M: -51.94%
• YTD: -39.00%
• 1Y: 54.13%
• 3Y*: 43.88%
• 5Y*: 15.26%
• 10Y*: -15.21%

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

PLTU vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PLTU Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF	-54.93%	223.17%	14.77%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-39.00%	425.05%	-18.98%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTU and NUGT is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.16

PLTU vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

PLTU vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTU

PLTU Risk / Return Rank: 6
PLTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
PLTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
PLTU Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PLTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PLTU Martin Ratio Rank: 5

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 24
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 30
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

PLTU vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF (PLTU) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (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.

	PLTU	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.43	0.57	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.06	1.29	-1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.17	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.56	0.84	-1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.96	1.78	-2.74

PLTU vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTU Sharpe Ratio is -0.43, which is lower than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTU 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

PLTU vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTU drawdown since its inception was -79.43%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTU and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTU	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.43%	-99.97%	+20.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-79.43%	-64.82%	-14.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-64.82%	—
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	-68.66%	-99.86%	+31.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.56%	-91.56%	+57.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	45.89%	30.56%	+15.33%

Volatility

PLTU vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF (PLTU) has a higher volatility of 32.99% compared to Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) at 26.81%. This indicates that PLTU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTU	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	32.99%	26.81%	+6.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	79.69%	79.92%	-0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	102.59%	95.11%	+7.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	125.74%	73.31%	+52.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	125.74%	87.68%	+38.06%

PLTU vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTU has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTU vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

PLTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 52.89%, more than NUGT's 0.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.64%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%
PLTU Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF	52.89%	23.29%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTU and NUGT in my portfolio?

PLTU and NUGT have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLTU or NUGT?

PLTU has higher volatility (32.99%) compared to NUGT (26.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTU dropped -79.43% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, PLTU or NUGT?

On 1-year performance, NUGT leads with 54.13% vs -44.11% for PLTU. On fees, PLTU is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, NUGT has been the lower-risk option at 26.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTU or NUGT?

Over the 1-year period, NUGT has performed better with a 54.13% return vs -44.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTU or NUGT?

PLTU is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 1.13% for NUGT.

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

PLTU has the higher dividend yield at 52.89%, compared with 0.64% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between PLTU and NUGT?

PLTU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while NUGT is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for PLTU and 1.13% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.57 vs -0.43), 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.