HDGE vs NUGT
AdvisorShares Active Bear ETF vs Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF
Which is better, HDGE or NUGT?
Each has led over a different period.
NUGT has a lower expense ratio. HDGE 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 | HDGE | NUGT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.62% | 1.13%Best |
| AUM | $56M | $993M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.56% | 0.75% |
| Holdings | 64 | 20 |
| YTD Return | -3.65%Best | -27.70% |
| 1Y Return | -2.84%Best | -17.67% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -9.93% | +64.31%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -6.86% | +21.20%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0%Best | 97.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -94.7% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,009 | $26,152Best |
| Fund Family | Advisor Shares | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Dec 8, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 27, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.7 years).
HDGE 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
HDGE vs NUGT Performance
AdvisorShares Active Bear ETF (HDGE) is an ETF from Advisor Shares and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year HDGE returned -2.84% while NUGT returned -17.67%. Year to date, HDGE is down 3.65% versus a loss of 27.70% for NUGT.
Over three years, HDGE compounded at -9.93% per year against +64.31% for NUGT; over five years the annualized figures are -6.86% and +21.20% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, HDGE has the edge at -15.47% annualized vs -32.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 97.3% compared with 21.0% for HDGE. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.18. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HDGE charges 3.62% per year while NUGT charges 1.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $362 vs $113 annually, a gap of $249 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HDGE currently yields 3.56% against 0.75% for NUGT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 67 holdings in HDGE and 4 in NUGT, totalling 62.3% and 41.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in HDGE and 4 in NUGT, against full books of 64 and 20.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HDGE 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, HDGE or NUGT?
HDGE has an expense ratio of 3.62% while NUGT charges 1.13%. NUGT is the cheaper option, by $249 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HDGE or NUGT?
Over the past year HDGE returned -2.84% vs -17.67% for NUGT, so HDGE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), HDGE annualized -15.47% vs -32.02% for NUGT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HDGE or NUGT?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 97.3% annualized versus 21.0% for HDGE.
Should I hold both HDGE and NUGT?
HDGE and NUGT have a monthly-return correlation of -0.18, 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, HDGE or NUGT?
HDGE yields 3.56% while NUGT yields 0.75%, so HDGE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NUGT better than HDGE?
NUGT has a lower expense ratio. HDGE 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.