MKAM vs NUGT
MKAM ETF vs Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF
Which is better, MKAM or NUGT?
Each has led over a different period.
MKAM has a lower expense ratio. MKAM led over 1Y, NUGT over 3Y and the full window.
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 | MKAM | NUGT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55%Best | 1.13% |
| AUM | $14M | $993M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.60% | 0.75% |
| Holdings | 8 | 20 |
| YTD Return | +6.95%Best | -27.70% |
| 1Y Return | +9.24%Best | -17.67% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.63% | +64.31%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.20% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.5%Best | 80.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.0%Best | -67.4% |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $14,071 | $28,137Best |
| Fund Family | MKAM ETF, LLC | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Apr 12, 2023 | Dec 8, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 12, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.5 years).
MKAM 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
MKAM vs NUGT Performance
MKAM ETF (MKAM) is an ETF from MKAM ETF, LLC and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year MKAM returned +9.24% while NUGT returned -17.67%. Year to date, MKAM is up 6.95% versus a loss of 27.70% for NUGT.
Over three years, MKAM compounded at +10.63% per year against +64.31% for NUGT. Across the full 4-year window we track, NUGT has the edge at +34.39% annualized vs +10.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 80.9% compared with 5.5% for MKAM. 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 -5.0% for MKAM and -67.4% 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 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MKAM charges 0.55% per year while NUGT charges 1.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $113 annually, a gap of $58 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MKAM currently yields 2.60% against 0.75% for NUGT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in MKAM and 4 in NUGT, totalling 99.9% 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 3 positions we hold weights for in MKAM and 4 in NUGT, against full books of 8 and 20.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MKAM 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, MKAM or NUGT?
MKAM has an expense ratio of 0.55% while NUGT charges 1.13%. MKAM is the cheaper option, by $58 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MKAM or NUGT?
Over the past year MKAM returned +9.24% vs -17.67% for NUGT, so MKAM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), MKAM annualized +10.25% vs +34.39% for NUGT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MKAM or NUGT?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 80.9% annualized versus 5.5% for MKAM. Worst drawdown: MKAM -5.0% vs NUGT -67.4%.
Should I hold both MKAM and NUGT?
MKAM and NUGT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.15, 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, MKAM or NUGT?
MKAM yields 2.60% while NUGT yields 0.75%, so MKAM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NUGT better than MKAM?
MKAM has a lower expense ratio. MKAM led over 1Y, NUGT over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.