UMDD vs. NUGT

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

UMDD (ProShares UltraPro MidCap400) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UMDD is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%), while NUGT is a Gold fund tracking the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, UMDD returned 10.70%/yr vs -14.90%/yr for NUGT. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UMDD charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

UMDD vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro MidCap400 (UMDD) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UMDD achieves a 34.48% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -44.40% return. Over the past 10 years, UMDD has outperformed NUGT with an annualized return of 10.70%, while NUGT has yielded a comparatively lower -14.90% annualized return.

UMDD

• 1D: -2.43%
• 1M: -4.30%
• 6M: 13.80%
• YTD: 34.48%
• 1Y: 43.82%
• 3Y*: 16.59%
• 5Y*: 3.27%
• 10Y*: 10.70%
• ALL TIME*: 19.19%

NUGT

• 1D: -1.54%
• 1M: -27.87%
• 6M: -56.49%
• YTD: -44.40%
• 1Y: 43.44%
• 3Y*: 40.94%
• 5Y*: 13.60%
• 10Y*: -14.90%
• ALL TIME*: -34.24%

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

UMDD vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UMDD ProShares UltraPro MidCap400	34.48%	-2.57%	19.68%	27.21%	-49.60%	72.27%	-17.30%	78.90%	-40.29%	49.17%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	-44.40%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	-60.16%	100.73%	-44.52%	3.73%

Correlation

The correlation between UMDD and NUGT is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2010	0.18

Over the past year, UMDD and NUGT have become more correlated (0.40) than their long-term average of 0.18, meaning their price movements have been converging.

UMDD vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UMDD	NUGT
Industrials	25.3%	-
Technology	17.2%	-
Financial Services	13.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	-
Healthcare	9.0%	-
Real Estate	7.2%	-
Basic Materials	4.8%	100.0%
Energy	4.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	-
Utilities	2.9%	-
Communication Services	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

UMDD vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

UMDD

UMDD Risk / Return Rank: 39
UMDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
UMDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
UMDD Omega Ratio Rank: 35
UMDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
UMDD Martin Ratio Rank: 46

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 23
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 30
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

UMDD vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro MidCap400 (UMDD) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT). 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.

	UMDD	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	0.46	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	1.18	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.16	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.69	0.65	+1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.59	1.39	+4.20

UMDD vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UMDD Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is higher than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 0.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UMDD and NUGT, 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

UMDD vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UMDD drawdown since its inception was -86.24%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UMDD and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	UMDD	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.24%	-99.97%	+13.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.04%	-67.40%	+41.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.33%	-67.40%	+7.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.61%	-73.72%	+9.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-86.24%	-96.91%	+10.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.63%	-99.87%	+91.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.47%	-91.57%	+68.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.86%	31.42%	-23.56%

Volatility

UMDD vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraPro MidCap400 (UMDD) is 10.26%, while Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) has a volatility of 22.32%. This indicates that UMDD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UMDD	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.26%	22.32%	-12.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.21%	80.16%	-44.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.26%	95.51%	-48.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	58.70%	73.31%	-14.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	62.09%	87.49%	-25.40%

UMDD vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

UMDD has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

UMDD vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

UMDD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%, less than NUGT's 0.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF	0.70%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UMDD ProShares UltraPro MidCap400	0.69%	1.00%	0.76%	0.19%	0.49%	0.06%	0.08%	0.64%	0.32%	0.00%	0.03%	0.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UMDD and NUGT in my portfolio?

UMDD and NUGT have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UMDD or NUGT?

NUGT has higher volatility (22.32%) compared to UMDD (10.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UMDD dropped -86.24% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, UMDD or NUGT?

On 10-year performance, UMDD leads with 10.70% vs -14.90% for NUGT. On fees, UMDD is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, UMDD has been the lower-risk option at 10.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UMDD or NUGT?

Over the 10-year period, UMDD has performed better with a 10.70% return vs -14.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UMDD or NUGT?

UMDD is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.13% for NUGT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UMDD or NUGT?

NUGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.70%, compared with 0.69% for UMDD.

What is the main difference between UMDD and NUGT?

UMDD is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while NUGT is Gold. UMDD tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%), while NUGT tracks MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index (200%). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for UMDD and 1.13% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UMDD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.46), 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.