NUGT vs VXUS
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NUGT or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS 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 | NUGT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.13% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.65% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 10 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.68% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +72.89%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +86.93%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +31.15%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 97.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $38,801Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2010 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
NUGT vs VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
NUGT vs VXUS Performance
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (NUGT) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NUGT returned +72.89% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, NUGT is up 4.68% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, NUGT compounded at +86.93% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +31.15% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs -30.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 97.4% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUGT charges 1.13% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $113 vs $5 annually, a gap of $108 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUGT currently yields 0.65% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in NUGT and 8,092 in VXUS, totalling 109.3% and 87.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in NUGT and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 10 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NUGT and VXUS 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 VXUS?
NUGT has an expense ratio of 1.13% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $108 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUGT or VXUS?
Over the past year NUGT returned +72.89% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so NUGT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), NUGT annualized -30.68% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUGT or VXUS?
NUGT has been the more volatile fund at 97.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS.
Should I hold both NUGT and VXUS?
NUGT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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 VXUS?
NUGT yields 0.65% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NUGT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NUGT led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.