SPDN vs. GDXD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPDN (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares) and GDXD (MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs) are both Inverse Equities funds - SPDN tracks the S&P 500 Index while GDXD tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPDN returned -8.88%/yr vs -72.73%/yr for GDXD. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPDN charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXD.

Performance

SPDN vs. GDXD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares (SPDN) 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, SPDN achieves a -7.81% return, which is significantly higher than GDXD's -51.20% return.

SPDN

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -4.42%
• YTD: -7.81%
• 6M: -7.36%
• 1Y: -16.94%
• 3Y*: -12.80%
• 5Y*: -8.88%
• 10Y*: —

GDXD

• 1D: 10.76%
• 1M: -10.12%
• YTD: -51.20%
• 6M: -62.62%
• 1Y: -93.08%
• 3Y*: -84.24%
• 5Y*: -72.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPDN vs. GDXD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SPDN Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares	-7.81%	-11.09%	-12.88%	-15.04%	18.63%	-23.72%	-2.49%
GDXD MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs	-51.20%	-97.53%	-57.78%	-52.35%	-52.56%	-19.71%	-13.30%

Correlation

The correlation between SPDN and GDXD is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2020	0.30

Return for Risk

SPDN vs. GDXD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPDN

SPDN Risk / Return Rank: 1
SPDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
SPDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SPDN Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SPDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SPDN Martin Ratio Rank: 0

GDXD

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

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.

SPDN vs. GDXD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares (SPDN) 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.

	SPDN	GDXD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.41	-0.68	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.02	-1.88	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.78	0.80	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.95	-0.97	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.74	-1.22	-0.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPDN vs. GDXD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPDN Sharpe Ratio is -1.41, which is lower than the GDXD Sharpe Ratio of -0.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPDN 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPDN	GDXD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.41	-0.68	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.53	-0.66	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.70	-0.67	-0.03

Drawdowns

SPDN vs. GDXD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPDN drawdown since its inception was -75.31%, smaller than the maximum GDXD drawdown of -99.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPDN and GDXD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPDN	GDXD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.31%	-99.96%	+24.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.95%	-96.33%	+78.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-38.24%	-99.86%	+61.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.85%	-99.96%	+56.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-75.17%	-99.93%	+24.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-48.54%	-71.85%	+23.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.78%	75.91%	-66.13%

Volatility

SPDN vs. GDXD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares (SPDN) is 2.78%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (GDXD) has a volatility of 47.44%. This indicates that SPDN 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

	SPDN	GDXD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.78%	47.44%	-44.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	109.86%	-100.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.10%	136.25%	-124.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.86%	109.97%	-93.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.04%	109.35%	-91.31%

SPDN vs. GDXD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPDN has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than GDXD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPDN vs. GDXD - Dividend Comparison

SPDN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%, while GDXD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%	0.00%
SPDN Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1x Shares	4.09%	4.06%	5.32%	5.84%	0.96%	0.00%	0.10%	1.89%	1.24%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPDN and GDXD in my portfolio?

SPDN and GDXD have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPDN or GDXD?

GDXD has higher volatility (47.44%) compared to SPDN (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPDN dropped -75.31% vs GDXD's -99.96%.

Which ETF is better, SPDN or GDXD?

On 5-year performance, SPDN leads with -8.88% vs -72.73% for GDXD. On fees, SPDN is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SPDN has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPDN or GDXD?

Over the 5-year period, SPDN has performed better with a -8.88% return vs -72.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPDN or GDXD?

SPDN is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for GDXD.

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

SPDN has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 0.00% for GDXD.

What is the main difference between SPDN and GDXD?

SPDN tracks S&P 500 Index, while GDXD tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross (-300%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SPDN and 0.95% for GDXD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDXD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.68 vs -1.41), 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.