NUGT vs XAUG
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August
Which is better, NUGT or XAUG?
Each has led over a different period.
XAUG has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 3Y and the full window, XAUG 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 | XAUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.13% | 0.85%Best |
| AUM | $993M | $26M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.75% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 20 | 12 |
| YTD Return | -27.70% | +6.36%Best |
| 1Y Return | -17.67% | +8.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +64.31%Best | +9.93% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.20% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 83.2% | 4.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.4% | -8.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $46,294Best | $13,294 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2010 | Aug 18, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 21, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
NUGT vs XAUG 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 XAUG Performance
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August (XAUG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year NUGT returned -17.67% while XAUG returned +8.57%. Year to date, NUGT is down 27.70% versus a gain of 6.36% for XAUG.
Over three years, NUGT compounded at +64.31% per year against +9.93% for XAUG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 83.2% compared with 4.3% for XAUG. 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 -8.7% for XAUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.10. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUGT charges 1.13% per year while XAUG 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 XAUG.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NUGT and XAUG 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 XAUG?
NUGT has an expense ratio of 1.13% while XAUG charges 0.85%. XAUG is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUGT or XAUG?
Over the past year NUGT returned -17.67% vs +8.57% for XAUG, so XAUG leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUGT or XAUG?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 83.2% annualized versus 4.3% for XAUG. Worst drawdown: NUGT -67.4% vs XAUG -8.7%.
Should I hold both NUGT and XAUG?
NUGT and XAUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.10, 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 XAUG?
NUGT yields 0.75% while XAUG yields 0.00%, so NUGT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XAUG better than NUGT?
XAUG has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 3Y and the full window, XAUG over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.