SGOL vs. JDST
SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) and JDST (Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - SGOL is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while JDST is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SGOL returned 11.57%/yr vs -60.42%/yr for JDST. At a correlation of -0.74, they often move in opposite directions. SGOL charges 0.17%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for JDST.
Performance
SGOL vs. JDST - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SGOL achieves a -5.96% return, which is significantly higher than JDST's -18.14% return. Over the past 10 years, SGOL has outperformed JDST with an annualized return of 11.57%, while JDST has yielded a comparatively lower -60.42% annualized return.
SGOL
- 1D
- 0.05%
- 1M
- -6.12%
- 6M
- -12.50%
- YTD
- -5.96%
- 1Y
- 21.63%
- 3Y*
- 27.36%
- 5Y*
- 17.32%
- 10Y*
- 11.57%
JDST
- 1D
- 3.51%
- 1M
- 27.84%
- 6M
- 2.03%
- YTD
- -18.14%
- 1Y
- -77.48%
- 3Y*
- -65.76%
- 5Y*
- -53.35%
- 10Y*
- -60.42%
SGOL vs. JDST - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -5.96% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
JDST Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares | -18.14% | -91.10% | -40.98% | -28.29% | -26.25% | 10.97% | -95.97% | -80.30% | -1.60% | -63.44% |
Correlation
The correlation between SGOL and JDST is -0.81, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.78 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2013 | -0.74 |
The correlation between SGOL and JDST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.81 to -0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SGOL vs. JDST — Risk / Return Rank
SGOL
JDST
SGOL vs. JDST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) and Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares (JDST). 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.
| SGOL | JDST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 0.86 | +0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.83 | -0.87 | +1.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.99 | -1.10 | +3.09 |
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Drawdowns
SGOL vs. JDST - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SGOL drawdown since its inception was -45.51%, smaller than the maximum JDST drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGOL and JDST.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SGOL | JDST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.51% | -100.00% | +54.49% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -26.16% | -88.98% | +62.82% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.16% | -98.58% | +72.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.16% | -99.28% | +73.12% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -26.16% | -100.00% | +73.84% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -24.86% | -100.00% | +75.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.44% | -95.34% | +76.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.88% | 70.69% | -59.81% |
Volatility
SGOL vs. JDST - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) is 7.01%, while Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares (JDST) has a volatility of 31.45%. This indicates that SGOL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JDST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SGOL | JDST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.01% | 31.45% | -24.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.89% | 86.01% | -62.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.64% | 105.39% | -77.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.28% | 82.52% | -64.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.06% | 104.49% | -88.43% |
SGOL vs. JDST - Expense Ratio Comparison
SGOL has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than JDST's 1.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
SGOL vs. JDST - Dividend Comparison
SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while JDST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.92%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JDST Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares | 5.92% | 15.08% | 6.50% | 4.81% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 11.75% | 3.16% | 0.57% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SGOL and JDST have a correlation of -0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
JDST has higher volatility (31.45%) compared to SGOL (7.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGOL dropped -45.51% vs JDST's -100.00%.
On 10-year performance, SGOL leads with 11.57% vs -60.42% for JDST. On fees, SGOL is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, SGOL has been the lower-risk option at 7.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SGOL has performed better with a 11.57% return vs -60.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SGOL is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for JDST.
JDST has the higher dividend yield at 5.92%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.
SGOL is categorized as Gold, while JDST is Leveraged Equities. SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while JDST tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: abrdn and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for SGOL and 1.10% for JDST.
SGOL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.79 vs -0.74), 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.
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