NUGT vs SQMX
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF
Which is better, NUGT or SQMX?
Each has led over a different period.
SQMX has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over the full window, SQMX over 1Y.
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 | SQMX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.13% | 0.85%Best |
| AUM | $993M | $55M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.75% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 20 | 10 |
| YTD Return | -27.70% | +4.77%Best |
| 1Y Return | -17.67% | +7.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +64.31% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.20% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 96.5% | 2.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.4% | -7.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $36,693Best | $11,346 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2010 | Dec 20, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
NUGT vs SQMX 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 SQMX Performance
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and FT Vest US Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF (SQMX) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year NUGT returned -17.67% while SQMX returned +7.41%. Year to date, NUGT is down 27.70% versus a gain of 4.77% for SQMX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 96.5% compared with 2.8% for SQMX. 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 -67.4% for NUGT and -7.4% for SQMX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.11. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUGT charges 1.13% per year while SQMX charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $113 vs $85 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUGT currently yields 0.75% against 0.00% for SQMX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NUGT and SQMX 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 SQMX?
NUGT has an expense ratio of 1.13% while SQMX charges 0.85%. SQMX is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUGT or SQMX?
Over the past year NUGT returned -17.67% vs +7.41% for SQMX, so SQMX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), NUGT annualized +105.90% vs +7.27% for SQMX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUGT or SQMX?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 96.5% annualized versus 2.8% for SQMX. Worst drawdown: NUGT -67.4% vs SQMX -7.4%.
Should I hold both NUGT and SQMX?
NUGT and SQMX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.11, 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 SQMX?
NUGT yields 0.75% while SQMX yields 0.00%, so NUGT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQMX better than NUGT?
SQMX has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over the full window, SQMX over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.