UTSL vs. NUGT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) and NUGT (Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds from Direxion - UTSL tracks the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%) while NUGT tracks the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UTSL returned 8.32%/yr vs 16.32%/yr for NUGT. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UTSL charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for NUGT.

Performance

UTSL vs. NUGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UTSL achieves a 1.14% return, which is significantly higher than NUGT's -16.05% return.

UTSL

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: -17.87%
• YTD: 1.14%
• 6M: -5.29%
• 1Y: 9.70%
• 3Y*: 20.67%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: —

NUGT

• 1D: -6.64%
• 1M: -4.13%
• YTD: -16.05%
• 6M: -6.29%
• 1Y: 97.46%
• 3Y*: 60.96%
• 5Y*: 16.32%
• 10Y*: -8.54%

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

UTSL vs. NUGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	1.14%	29.03%	54.24%	-35.55%	-14.06%	48.16%	-38.58%	81.07%	-2.27%	11.26%
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	-16.05%	425.05%	2.89%	2.60%	-32.10%	-26.31%	-60.16%	100.73%	-44.52%	6.59%

Correlation

The correlation between UTSL and NUGT is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2017	0.21

UTSL vs. NUGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UTSL	NUGT
Utilities	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

UTSL vs. NUGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

UTSL

UTSL Risk / Return Rank: 13
UTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
UTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
UTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 13
UTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
UTSL Martin Ratio Rank: 12

NUGT

NUGT Risk / Return Rank: 32
NUGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
NUGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
NUGT Omega Ratio Rank: 34
NUGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
NUGT Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

UTSL vs. NUGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (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.

	UTSL	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.22	1.09	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	1.67	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.23	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.34	1.83	-1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.73	4.18	-3.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UTSL vs. NUGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UTSL Sharpe Ratio is 0.22, which is lower than the NUGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UTSL 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	UTSL	NUGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22	1.09	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.23	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	-0.33	+0.47

Drawdowns

UTSL vs. NUGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UTSL drawdown since its inception was -79.55%, smaller than the maximum NUGT drawdown of -99.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTSL and NUGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	UTSL	NUGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.55%	-99.97%	+20.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.45%	-53.58%	+25.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.22%	-53.58%	+7.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-68.01%	-73.72%	+5.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-96.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.53%	-99.80%	+74.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.23%	-91.52%	+58.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.34%	23.39%	-10.05%

Volatility

UTSL vs. NUGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) is 16.50%, while Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares (NUGT) has a volatility of 30.32%. This indicates that UTSL 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

	UTSL	NUGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.50%	30.32%	-13.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.86%	75.18%	-40.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.41%	90.01%	-46.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.02%	71.96%	-19.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	59.28%	87.90%	-28.62%

UTSL vs. NUGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

UTSL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGT's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

UTSL vs. NUGT - Dividend Comparison

UTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%, more than NUGT's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUGT Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 2X Shares	0.36%	0.22%	1.79%	1.67%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	0.57%	0.00%
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares	1.80%	1.69%	1.61%	3.61%	1.15%	1.19%	1.40%	5.01%	1.46%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UTSL and NUGT in my portfolio?

UTSL and NUGT have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UTSL or NUGT?

NUGT has higher volatility (30.32%) compared to UTSL (16.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTSL dropped -79.55% vs NUGT's -99.97%.

Which ETF is better, UTSL or NUGT?

On 5-year performance, NUGT leads with 16.32% vs 8.32% for UTSL. On fees, UTSL is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, UTSL has been the lower-risk option at 16.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UTSL or NUGT?

Over the 5-year period, NUGT has performed better with a 16.32% return vs 8.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UTSL or NUGT?

UTSL is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.23% for NUGT.

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

UTSL has the higher dividend yield at 1.80%, compared with 0.36% for NUGT.

What is the main difference between UTSL and NUGT?

UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%), while NUGT tracks NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (300%). Their fees differ too: 0.99% for UTSL and 1.23% for NUGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 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.