QQQE vs. NUGT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQE is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while NUGT is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQE returned 15.49%/yr vs -8.54%/yr for NUGT. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQE charges 0.35%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

QQQE vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) 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, QQQE achieves a 19.12% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -16.05% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQE has outperformed NUGT with an annualized return of 15.49%, while NUGT has yielded a comparatively lower -8.54% annualized return.

QQQE

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 10.46%
• YTD: 19.12%
• 6M: 17.48%
• 1Y: 28.68%
• 3Y*: 18.69%
• 5Y*: 10.30%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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%

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

QQQE vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	19.12%	14.58%	6.98%	33.76%	-24.47%	17.93%	37.85%	36.43%	-5.40%	26.53%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQE and NUGT is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2012	0.15

The correlation between QQQE and NUGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QQQE vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQE	NUGT
Technology	45.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	-
Industrials	10.1%	-
Communication Services	9.1%	-
Healthcare	8.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	-
Utilities	3.9%	-
Energy	2.0%	-
Financial Services	1.0%	-
Basic Materials	0.9%	100.0%
Real Estate	0.7%	-

Return for Risk

QQQE vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQE

QQQE Risk / Return Rank: 58
QQQE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
QQQE Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
QQQE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QQQE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQE Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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

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.

QQQE vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) 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.

	QQQE	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.09	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	1.67	+1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.23	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	1.83	+1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.57	4.18	+6.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQE vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQE Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is higher than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQE 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QQQE	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	1.09	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.23	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	-0.10	+0.85
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	-0.33	+1.10

Drawdowns

QQQE vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQE drawdown since its inception was -32.14%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQE and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQE	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.14%	-99.97%	+67.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-53.58%	+44.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.38%	-53.58%	+32.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.14%	-73.72%	+41.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.14%	-96.91%	+64.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-99.80%	+99.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.17%	-91.52%	+86.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	23.39%	-20.67%

Volatility

QQQE vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) is 3.79%, while Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT) has a volatility of 30.32%. This indicates that QQQE 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

	QQQE	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	30.32%	-26.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.64%	75.18%	-64.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.15%	90.01%	-75.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.30%	71.96%	-51.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.72%	87.90%	-67.18%

QQQE vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQE vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

QQQE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, more than NUGT's 0.36% 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%
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	0.52%	0.52%	0.86%	0.79%	0.98%	3.83%	0.54%	0.74%	0.80%	0.65%	1.17%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQE and NUGT in my portfolio?

QQQE and NUGT have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQE or NUGT?

NUGT has higher volatility (30.32%) compared to QQQE (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQE dropped -32.14% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, QQQE or NUGT?

On 10-year performance, QQQE leads with 15.49% vs -8.54% for NUGT. On fees, QQQE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, QQQE has been the lower-risk option at 3.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQE or NUGT?

Over the 10-year period, QQQE has performed better with a 15.49% return vs -8.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQE or NUGT?

QQQE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.23% for NUGT.

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

QQQE has the higher dividend yield at 0.52%, compared with 0.36% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between QQQE and NUGT?

QQQE is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while NUGT is Leveraged Equities. QQQE tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while NUGT tracks NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 0.35% for QQQE and 1.23% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 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.