XDSQ vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XDSQ (Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds. XDSQ is actively managed, while GDXU is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XDSQ returned 9.81%/yr vs -10.23%/yr for GDXU. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XDSQ charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

XDSQ vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF (XDSQ) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XDSQ achieves a 2.84% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -41.62% return.

XDSQ

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 2.84%
• 6M: 3.73%
• 1Y: 16.08%
• 3Y*: 15.08%
• 5Y*: 9.81%
• 10Y*: —

GDXU

• 1D: 3.90%
• 1M: -8.04%
• YTD: -41.62%
• 6M: -31.92%
• 1Y: 76.85%
• 3Y*: 47.72%
• 5Y*: -10.23%
• 10Y*: —

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

XDSQ vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XDSQ Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF	2.84%	14.22%	23.12%	23.00%	-16.78%	12.75%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN	-41.62%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-32.63%

Correlation

The correlation between XDSQ and GDXU is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2021	0.26

XDSQ vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XDSQ	GDXU
Technology	35.7%	-
Financial Services	11.6%	-
Communication Services	11.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	100.0%

Return for Risk

XDSQ vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XDSQ

XDSQ Risk / Return Rank: 45
XDSQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
XDSQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
XDSQ Omega Ratio Rank: 52
XDSQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
XDSQ Martin Ratio Rank: 49

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 25
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
GDXU 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.

XDSQ vs. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF (XDSQ) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (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.

	XDSQ	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	0.56	+0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	1.56	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.22	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.68	1.04	+0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.02	2.11	+5.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XDSQ vs. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XDSQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XDSQ 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XDSQ	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	0.56	+0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	-0.09	+0.74
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	-0.08	+0.78

Drawdowns

XDSQ vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XDSQ drawdown since its inception was -26.06%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XDSQ and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XDSQ	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.06%	-94.39%	+68.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.60%	-73.99%	+64.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.15%	-73.99%	+54.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.06%	-92.93%	+66.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-72.90%	+72.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.96%	-69.77%	+64.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	36.52%	-34.51%

Volatility

XDSQ vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator US Equity Accelerated ETF (XDSQ) is 0.53%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU) has a volatility of 46.65%. This indicates that XDSQ 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

	XDSQ	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.53%	46.65%	-46.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.39%	118.08%	-109.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.54%	137.54%	-127.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.27%	110.85%	-95.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.09%	110.00%	-94.91%

XDSQ vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

XDSQ has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than GDXU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

XDSQ vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

Neither XDSQ nor GDXU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XDSQ and GDXU in my portfolio?

XDSQ and GDXU have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XDSQ or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (46.65%) compared to XDSQ (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XDSQ dropped -26.06% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, XDSQ or GDXU?

On 5-year performance, XDSQ leads with 9.81% vs -10.23% for GDXU. On fees, XDSQ is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, XDSQ has been the lower-risk option at 0.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XDSQ or GDXU?

Over the 5-year period, XDSQ has performed better with a 9.81% return vs -10.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XDSQ or GDXU?

XDSQ is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for GDXU.

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

XDSQ and GDXU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between XDSQ and GDXU?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for XDSQ and 0.95% for GDXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XDSQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.56), 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.