NUGT vs SPXL
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF vs Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF
Which is better, NUGT or SPXL?
Each has led over a different period.
SPXL has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 3Y and 5Y, SPXL 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 | SPXL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.13% | 0.87%Best |
| AUM | $993M | $7.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.75% | 0.52% |
| Holdings | 20 | 1,030 |
| YTD Return | -27.70% | +30.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | -17.67% | +39.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +64.31%Best | +52.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.20%Best | +20.66% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 97.3% | 43.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -76.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,152Best | $25,575 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2010 | Nov 5, 2008 |
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 SPXL 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 SPXL Performance
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year NUGT returned -17.67% while SPXL returned +39.94%. Year to date, NUGT is down 27.70% versus a gain of 30.47% for SPXL.
Over three years, NUGT compounded at +64.31% per year against +52.99% for SPXL; over five years the annualized figures are +21.20% and +20.66% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SPXL has the edge at +29.11% 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 43.7% for SPXL. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.20. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUGT charges 1.13% per year while SPXL charges 0.87%. On a $10,000 position that is $113 vs $87 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUGT currently yields 0.75% against 0.52% for SPXL.
Holdings Overlap
At least 24.3% of SPXL's money is in holdings NUGT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for NUGT, our book for it covers 41.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SPXL and NUGT share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in NUGT and 506 in SPXL, against full books of 20 and 1,030.
24.3% of SPXL is already inside NUGT.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NUGT or SPXL?
NUGT has an expense ratio of 1.13% while SPXL charges 0.87%. SPXL is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUGT or SPXL?
Over the past year NUGT returned -17.67% vs +39.94% for SPXL, so SPXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), NUGT annualized -32.88% vs +29.11% for SPXL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUGT or SPXL?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 97.3% annualized versus 43.7% for SPXL.
Should I hold both NUGT and SPXL?
NUGT and SPXL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.20, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between NUGT and SPXL?
At least 24.3% of SPXL's money is in holdings NUGT also owns. Our book for NUGT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in NUGT and 506 in SPXL.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUGT or SPXL?
NUGT yields 0.75% while SPXL yields 0.52%, so NUGT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPXL better than NUGT?
SPXL has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 3Y and 5Y, SPXL over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.