NUGT vs QQQ
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, NUGT or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over 1Y 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 | NUGT | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.13% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $993M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.75% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 20 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -27.70% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -17.67% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +64.31%Best | +26.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.20%Best | +15.42% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 97.3% | 17.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,152Best | $20,484 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2010 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 8, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.8 years).
NUGT vs QQQ 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.
NUGT vs QQQ Performance
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year NUGT returned -17.67% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, NUGT is down 27.70% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, NUGT compounded at +64.31% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +21.20% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.08% annualized vs -32.88%.
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 17.3% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUGT charges 1.13% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $113 vs $18 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUGT currently yields 0.75% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in NUGT and 101 in QQQ, totalling 41.7% and 99.6% 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 4 positions we hold weights for in NUGT and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 20 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NUGT and QQQ 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, NUGT or QQQ?
NUGT has an expense ratio of 1.13% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUGT or QQQ?
Over the past year NUGT returned -17.67% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), NUGT annualized -32.88% vs +18.08% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUGT or QQQ?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 97.3% annualized versus 17.3% for QQQ.
Should I hold both NUGT and QQQ?
NUGT and QQQ 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, NUGT or QQQ?
NUGT yields 0.75% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so NUGT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than NUGT?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.