GDEC vs NUGT
FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December vs Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF
Which is better, GDEC or NUGT?
Each has led over a different period.
GDEC has a lower expense ratio. GDEC led over 1Y, NUGT over 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 | GDEC | NUGT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 1.13% |
| AUM | $394M | $993M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.75% |
| Holdings | 10 | 20 |
| YTD Return | +8.41%Best | -27.70% |
| 1Y Return | +11.87%Best | -17.67% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +64.31% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.20% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 86.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.6%Best | -67.4% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $13,577 | $39,033Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Dec 15, 2023 | Dec 8, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 18, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.8 years).
GDEC 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.
GDEC vs NUGT Performance
FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year GDEC returned +11.87% while NUGT returned -17.67%. Year to date, GDEC is up 8.41% versus a loss of 27.70% for NUGT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 86.3% compared with 5.2% for GDEC. 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 -10.6% for GDEC 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 0.04. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDEC charges 0.85% per year while NUGT charges 1.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $113 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDEC currently yields 0.00% against 0.75% for NUGT.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GDEC 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, GDEC or NUGT?
GDEC has an expense ratio of 0.85% while NUGT charges 1.13%. GDEC is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDEC or NUGT?
Over the past year GDEC returned +11.87% vs -17.67% for NUGT, so GDEC leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDEC or NUGT?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 86.3% annualized versus 5.2% for GDEC. Worst drawdown: GDEC -10.6% vs NUGT -67.4%.
Should I hold both GDEC and NUGT?
GDEC and NUGT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.04, 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, GDEC or NUGT?
GDEC yields 0.00% while NUGT yields 0.75%, so NUGT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NUGT better than GDEC?
GDEC has a lower expense ratio. GDEC led over 1Y, NUGT over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.