FSEP vs NUGT
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - September vs Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF
Which is better, FSEP or NUGT?
Each has led over a different period.
FSEP has a lower expense ratio. FSEP led over 1Y and the full window, NUGT over 3Y and 5Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FSEP | NUGT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 1.13% |
| AUM | $1.4B | $993M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.75% |
| Holdings | 10 | 20 |
| YTD Return | +11.79%Best | -21.62% |
| 1Y Return | +14.30%Best | -17.11% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.26% | +68.72%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.66% | +23.69%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.6%Best | 75.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.8%Best | -77.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,594 | $28,952Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Sep 18, 2020 | Dec 8, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2020 to Oct 15, 2026 (6.1 years).
FSEP vs NUGT growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 6.1 years both funds cover.
FSEP vs NUGT Performance
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year FSEP returned +14.30% while NUGT returned -17.11%. Year to date, FSEP is up 11.79% versus a loss of 21.62% for NUGT.
Over three years, FSEP compounded at +15.26% per year against +68.72% for NUGT; over five years the annualized figures are +10.66% and +23.69% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, FSEP has the edge at +11.67% annualized vs +9.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 75.1% compared with 9.6% for FSEP. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -13.8% for FSEP and -77.4% for NUGT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.22. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSEP charges 0.85% per year while NUGT charges 1.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $113 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSEP currently yields 0.00% against 0.75% for NUGT.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FSEP and NUGT you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FSEP or NUGT?
FSEP has an expense ratio of 0.85% while NUGT charges 1.13%. FSEP is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSEP or NUGT?
Over the past year FSEP returned +14.30% vs -17.11% for NUGT, so FSEP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FSEP annualized +11.67% vs +9.15% for NUGT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSEP or NUGT?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 75.1% annualized versus 9.6% for FSEP. Worst drawdown: FSEP -13.8% vs NUGT -77.4%.
Should I hold both FSEP and NUGT?
FSEP and NUGT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.22, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSEP or NUGT?
FSEP yields 0.00% while NUGT yields 0.75%, so NUGT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NUGT better than FSEP?
FSEP has a lower expense ratio. FSEP led over 1Y and the full window, NUGT over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.