UBOT vs. GDXU

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

UBOT (Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040) are both exchange-traded funds - UBOT is a Robotics fund tracking the Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index (300%), while GDXU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UBOT returned -10.84%/yr vs -11.66%/yr for GDXU. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UBOT charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

UBOT vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UBOT achieves a -14.56% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -68.01% return.

UBOT

• 1D: 3.58%
• 1M: -18.55%
• 6M: -18.05%
• YTD: -14.56%
• 1Y: -1.35%
• 3Y*: -0.24%
• 5Y*: -10.84%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -7.19%

GDXU

• 1D: 15.40%
• 1M: -31.80%
• 6M: -80.76%
• YTD: -68.01%
• 1Y: 4.23%
• 3Y*: 23.50%
• 5Y*: -11.66%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -18.29%

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

UBOT vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
UBOT Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares	-14.56%	13.42%	12.02%	72.59%	-72.45%	9.78%	4.50%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	-68.01%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-54.93%	4.32%

Correlation

The correlation between UBOT and GDXU is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2020	0.33

UBOT vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UBOT	GDXU
Industrials	50.8%	-
Technology	30.8%	-
Healthcare	8.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.2%	-
Communication Services	4.2%	-
Financial Services	0.9%	-
Energy	0.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	100.0%
Utilities	0.0%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

UBOT vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

UBOT

UBOT Risk / Return Rank: 11
UBOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
UBOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
UBOT Omega Ratio Rank: 12
UBOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
UBOT Martin Ratio Rank: 10

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 17
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 27
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
GDXU Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

UBOT vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (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.

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.

	UBOT	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.03	0.03	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.34	1.09	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.14	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.04	0.05	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.10	0.09	-0.19

UBOT vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UBOT Sharpe Ratio is -0.03, which is lower than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UBOT 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.

Drawdowns

UBOT vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UBOT drawdown since its inception was -86.24%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UBOT and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	UBOT	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.24%	-94.39%	+8.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.90%	-87.14%	+51.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-51.64%	-87.14%	+35.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-82.90%	-91.30%	+8.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-58.63%	-85.15%	+26.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-49.86%	-70.00%	+20.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.95%	46.28%	-32.33%

Volatility

UBOT vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT) is 19.42%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a volatility of 38.61%. This indicates that UBOT 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

	UBOT	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.42%	38.61%	-19.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.46%	127.15%	-84.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.53%	146.85%	-94.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	53.88%	113.16%	-59.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.57%	111.49%	-47.92%

UBOT vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

UBOT has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

UBOT vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

UBOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UBOT Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares	1.15%	0.78%	1.45%	0.65%	0.00%	2.25%	15.83%	0.55%	0.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UBOT and GDXU in my portfolio?

UBOT and GDXU have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UBOT or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (38.61%) compared to UBOT (19.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UBOT dropped -86.24% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, UBOT or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, UBOT leads with -10.84% vs -11.66% for GDXU. On fees, GDXU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, UBOT has been the lower-risk option at 19.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UBOT or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, UBOT has performed better with a -10.84% return vs -11.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UBOT or GDXU?

GDXU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for UBOT.

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

UBOT has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.

What is the main difference between UBOT and GDXU?

UBOT is categorized as Robotics, while GDXU is Leveraged Equities. UBOT tracks Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index (300%), while GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and BMO. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for UBOT and 0.95% for GDXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.03 vs -0.03), 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.