NUGT vs VTI
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NUGT or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.13% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.38% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 20 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -19.61% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.87% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +82.30%Best | +23.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +28.95%Best | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 97.2% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $35,654Best | $18,286 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2010 | May 24, 2001 |
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 2, 2026 (15.8 years).
NUGT vs VTI 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 covers the 15.8 years both funds cover.
NUGT vs VTI Performance
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NUGT returned -5.87% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, NUGT is down 19.61% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, NUGT compounded at +82.30% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +28.95% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.49% annualized vs -32.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 97.2% compared with 14.5% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUGT charges 1.13% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $113 vs $3 annually, a gap of $110 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUGT currently yields 0.38% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in NUGT and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 104.7% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, NUGT as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in NUGT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 20 and 3,524.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NUGT and VTI 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 VTI?
NUGT has an expense ratio of 1.13% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $110 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUGT or VTI?
Over the past year NUGT returned -5.87% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), NUGT annualized -32.49% vs +12.49% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUGT or VTI?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 97.2% annualized versus 14.5% for VTI.
Should I hold both NUGT and VTI?
NUGT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.21, 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 VTI?
NUGT yields 0.38% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NUGT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.