SEF vs. GDXD

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

SEF (ProShares Short Financials) and GDXD (MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs) are both Inverse Equities funds - SEF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (-100%) while GDXD tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SEF returned -7.58%/yr vs -72.97%/yr for GDXD. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

SEF vs. GDXD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Short Financials (SEF) and MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (GDXD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEF achieves a -2.09% return, which is significantly higher than GDXD's -32.64% return.

SEF

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: -4.14%
• 6M: -3.05%
• YTD: -2.09%
• 1Y: -5.36%
• 3Y*: -12.03%
• 5Y*: -7.58%
• 10Y*: -12.30%

GDXD

• 1D: 11.11%
• 1M: 68.74%
• 6M: -1.35%
• YTD: -32.64%
• 1Y: -90.73%
• 3Y*: -81.84%
• 5Y*: -72.97%
• 10Y*: —

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

SEF vs. GDXD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SEF ProShares Short Financials	-2.09%	-9.82%	-17.81%	-8.81%	11.85%	-27.02%	-3.64%
GDXD MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs	-32.64%	-97.53%	-57.78%	-52.35%	-52.56%	-19.71%	-13.10%

Correlation

The correlation between SEF and GDXD is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2020	0.23

SEF vs. GDXD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SEF	GDXD
Financial Services	74.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SEF vs. GDXD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEF

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

GDXD

GDXD Risk / Return Rank: 3
GDXD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
GDXD Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
GDXD Omega Ratio Rank: 3
GDXD Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
GDXD Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

SEF vs. GDXD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short Financials (SEF) and MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (GDXD). 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.

	SEF	GDXD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.37	-0.63	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.45	-1.36	+0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	0.86	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.36	-0.94	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.95	-1.11	+0.16

SEF vs. GDXD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEF Sharpe Ratio is -0.37, which is higher than the GDXD Sharpe Ratio of -0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEF and GDXD, 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

SEF vs. GDXD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEF drawdown since its inception was -96.51%, roughly equal to the maximum GDXD drawdown of -99.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEF and GDXD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEF	GDXD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.51%	-99.96%	+3.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.82%	-96.19%	+81.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.40%	-99.86%	+60.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.62%	-99.96%	+58.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.48%	-99.91%	+3.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-82.78%	-72.38%	-10.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.65%	81.60%	-75.95%

Volatility

SEF vs. GDXD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Short Financials (SEF) is 4.21%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (GDXD) has a volatility of 36.43%. This indicates that SEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDXD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEF	GDXD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	36.43%	-32.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.14%	118.05%	-106.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.52%	145.22%	-130.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.97%	112.15%	-94.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.44%	110.79%	-90.35%

SEF vs. GDXD - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SEF and GDXD have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

SEF vs. GDXD - Dividend Comparison

SEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.43%, while GDXD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
GDXD MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SEF ProShares Short Financials	3.43%	4.33%	5.72%	4.43%	0.39%	0.00%	0.12%	1.25%	0.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEF and GDXD in my portfolio?

SEF and GDXD have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEF or GDXD?

GDXD has higher volatility (36.43%) compared to SEF (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEF dropped -96.51% vs GDXD's -99.96%.

Which ETF is better, SEF or GDXD?

On 5-year performance, SEF leads with -7.58% vs -72.97% for GDXD. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, SEF has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEF or GDXD?

Over the 5-year period, SEF has performed better with a -7.58% return vs -72.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEF or GDXD?

SEF and GDXD have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEF or GDXD?

SEF has the higher dividend yield at 3.43%, compared with 0.00% for GDXD.

What is the main difference between SEF and GDXD?

SEF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (-100%), while GDXD tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross (-300%). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and BMO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.37 vs -0.63), 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.