TMF vs. GDX
TMF (Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TMF is a Leveraged Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index (300%), while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TMF returned -16.87%/yr vs 13.29%/yr for GDX. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TMF charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.
Performance
TMF vs. GDX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TMF achieves a -5.18% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's -6.69% return. Over the past 10 years, TMF has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of -16.87%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.29% annualized return.
TMF
- 1D
- -0.93%
- 1M
- 7.62%
- YTD
- -5.18%
- 6M
- -5.04%
- 1Y
- -1.79%
- 3Y*
- -19.82%
- 5Y*
- -31.10%
- 10Y*
- -16.87%
GDX
- 1D
- 2.97%
- 1M
- -8.38%
- YTD
- -6.69%
- 6M
- -5.89%
- 1Y
- 48.02%
- 3Y*
- 38.96%
- 5Y*
- 17.51%
- 10Y*
- 13.29%
TMF vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TMF Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF | -5.18% | -2.94% | -35.95% | -13.01% | -72.60% | -19.80% | 39.02% | 34.75% | -11.01% | 22.72% |
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -6.69% | 154.77% | 10.63% | 9.98% | -9.01% | -9.52% | 23.66% | 39.84% | -8.77% | 11.99% |
Correlation
The correlation between TMF and GDX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2009 | 0.13 |
The correlation between TMF and GDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (all time) to 0.23 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
TMF vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank
TMF
GDX
TMF vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). 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.
| TMF | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.21 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.19 | 1.40 | -1.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.41 | 3.87 | -4.28 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
TMF vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TMF drawdown since its inception was -92.89%, which is greater than GDX's maximum drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMF and GDX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| TMF | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -92.89% | -80.34% | -12.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -26.51% | -36.28% | +9.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -56.31% | -36.28% | -20.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -88.81% | -46.51% | -42.30% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -92.89% | -49.79% | -43.10% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -92.15% | -30.91% | -61.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -43.70% | -40.41% | -3.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 11.96% | 13.11% | -1.15% |
Volatility
TMF vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) is 8.43%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 17.20%. This indicates that TMF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| TMF | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.43% | 17.20% | -8.77% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.46% | 39.15% | -19.69% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.49% | 46.89% | -18.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 46.72% | 36.74% | +9.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 43.92% | 37.34% | +6.58% |
TMF vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TMF has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.
Dividends
TMF vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison
TMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.11%, more than GDX's 0.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | 0.79% | 0.74% | 1.19% | 1.61% | 1.66% | 1.67% | 0.53% | 0.67% | 0.50% | 0.76% | 0.26% | 0.85% |
TMF Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF | 4.11% | 4.06% | 4.29% | 2.82% | 1.62% | 0.13% | 2.23% | 0.94% | 1.49% | 0.41% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TMF and GDX have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDX has higher volatility (17.20%) compared to TMF (8.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMF dropped -92.89% vs GDX's -80.34%.
On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 13.29% vs -16.87% for TMF. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, TMF has been the lower-risk option at 8.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 13.29% return vs -16.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for TMF.
TMF has the higher dividend yield at 4.11%, compared with 0.79% for GDX.
TMF is categorized as Leveraged Bonds, while GDX is Gold. TMF tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index (300%), while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for TMF and 0.51% for GDX.
GDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs -0.17), 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.
Find the right allocation for TMF and GDX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer