RETL vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RETL (Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds - RETL tracks the Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%) while GDXU tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RETL returned -28.39%/yr vs -10.91%/yr for GDXU. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RETL charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

RETL vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RETL achieves a -13.97% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -43.81% return.

RETL

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: -2.83%
• YTD: -13.97%
• 6M: -14.71%
• 1Y: 2.31%
• 3Y*: 12.49%
• 5Y*: -28.39%
• 10Y*: -5.65%

GDXU

• 1D: -10.63%
• 1M: -11.26%
• YTD: -43.81%
• 6M: -33.96%
• 1Y: 72.31%
• 3Y*: 46.61%
• 5Y*: -10.91%
• 10Y*: —

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

RETL vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares	-13.97%	-5.98%	9.59%	33.62%	-80.80%	101.03%	15.31%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN	-43.81%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-54.93%	4.66%

Correlation

The correlation between RETL and GDXU is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2020	0.21

RETL vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RETL	GDXU
Consumer Cyclical	14.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	-
Communication Services	0.3%	-
Technology	0.3%	-
Healthcare	0.3%	-
Energy	0.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RETL vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

RETL

RETL Risk / Return Rank: 10
RETL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
RETL Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
RETL Omega Ratio Rank: 12
RETL Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
RETL Martin Ratio Rank: 9

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 23
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 31
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
GDXU Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

RETL vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU). 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.

	RETL	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.04	0.53	-0.49
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.50	1.53	-1.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.21	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.06	0.98	-0.92
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.13	2.00	-1.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RETL vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RETL Sharpe Ratio is 0.04, which is lower than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RETL and GDXU, 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

	RETL	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04	0.53	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.36	-0.10	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.07	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	-0.09	+0.29

Drawdowns

RETL vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RETL drawdown since its inception was -92.00%, roughly equal to the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RETL and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	RETL	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.00%	-94.39%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.08%	-73.99%	+35.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.72%	-73.99%	+11.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-92.00%	-92.93%	+0.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-92.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-85.23%	-73.92%	-11.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.55%	-69.77%	+32.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.20%	36.23%	-18.03%

Volatility

RETL vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) is 18.99%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU) has a volatility of 46.45%. This indicates that RETL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RETL	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.99%	46.45%	-27.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.17%	118.07%	-77.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	60.15%	137.57%	-77.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	79.48%	110.85%	-31.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	79.75%	110.02%	-30.27%

RETL vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

RETL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

RETL vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

RETL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares	0.59%	0.58%	1.13%	1.35%	0.71%	0.22%	0.19%	0.92%	1.19%	0.01%	2.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RETL and GDXU in my portfolio?

RETL and GDXU have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RETL or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (46.45%) compared to RETL (18.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RETL dropped -92.00% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, RETL or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, GDXU leads with -10.91% vs -28.39% for RETL. On fees, GDXU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, RETL has been the lower-risk option at 18.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RETL or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, GDXU has performed better with a -10.91% return vs -28.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RETL or GDXU?

GDXU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for RETL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RETL or GDXU?

RETL has the higher dividend yield at 0.59%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.

What is the main difference between RETL and GDXU?

RETL tracks Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%), while GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for RETL and 0.95% for GDXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.53 vs 0.04), 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.