URTY vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

URTY (ProShares UltraPro Russell2000) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040) are both Leveraged Equities funds - URTY tracks the Russell 2000 Index (300%) while GDXU tracks the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, URTY returned -7.00%/yr vs -14.73%/yr for GDXU. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

URTY vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) 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, URTY achieves a 52.87% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -56.00% return.

URTY

• 1D: 2.47%
• 1M: 8.75%
• YTD: 52.87%
• 6M: 39.91%
• 1Y: 116.44%
• 3Y*: 25.18%
• 5Y*: -7.00%
• 10Y*: 8.63%

GDXU

• 1D: 8.84%
• 1M: -50.11%
• YTD: -56.00%
• 6M: -55.92%
• 1Y: 30.95%
• 3Y*: 37.87%
• 5Y*: -14.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

URTY vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
URTY ProShares UltraPro Russell2000	52.87%	9.26%	7.38%	24.43%	-62.81%	28.47%	23.51%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040	-56.00%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-54.93%	4.32%

Correlation

The correlation between URTY and GDXU 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	0.34
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	0.32

URTY vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URTY	GDXU
Financial Services	24.2%	-
Technology	7.0%	-
Industrials	6.1%	-
Healthcare	5.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.8%	-
Energy	2.1%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.6%	100.0%
Utilities	1.1%	-
Communication Services	0.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.8%	-

Return for Risk

URTY vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

URTY

URTY Risk / Return Rank: 67
URTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
URTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
URTY Omega Ratio Rank: 54
URTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
URTY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 19
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 29
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
GDXU Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

URTY vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) 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.

	URTY	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	0.22	+1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	1.27	+1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.18	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	0.37	+3.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.78	0.80	+10.98

URTY vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTY Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URTY 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

URTY vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URTY drawdown since its inception was -88.09%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URTY and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	URTY	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.09%	-94.39%	+6.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.56%	-83.97%	+51.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-65.85%	-83.97%	+18.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-82.76%	-92.44%	+9.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-88.09%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.07%	-79.58%	+42.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.79%	-69.77%	+34.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.94%	38.59%	-28.65%

Volatility

URTY vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) is 21.54%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs due June 29, 2040 (GDXU) has a volatility of 54.28%. This indicates that URTY 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

	URTY	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.54%	54.28%	-32.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.72%	123.72%	-81.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.94%	142.00%	-83.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	67.69%	111.92%	-44.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	69.44%	110.82%	-41.38%

URTY vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both URTY and GDXU have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

URTY vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

URTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, while GDXU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%	0.00%	0.00%
URTY ProShares UltraPro Russell2000	0.62%	1.02%	1.16%	0.55%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.18%	0.28%	0.00%	0.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URTY and GDXU in my portfolio?

URTY and GDXU 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, URTY or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (54.28%) compared to URTY (21.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URTY dropped -88.09% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, URTY or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, URTY leads with -7.00% vs -14.73% for GDXU. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, URTY has been the lower-risk option at 21.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URTY or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, URTY has performed better with a -7.00% return vs -14.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URTY or GDXU?

URTY and GDXU have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

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

URTY has the higher dividend yield at 0.62%, compared with 0.00% for GDXU.

What is the main difference between URTY and GDXU?

URTY tracks Russell 2000 Index (300%), while GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and BMO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

URTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 0.22), 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.