Top 10 Performing Gold ETFs
8/26/2025 01:29am
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The deep research logic is organized as follows:
Okay, let's tackle the user's question about the top 10 performing gold ETFs. First, I need to check the references provided. The user is asking for the top 10, so I should look for any data tables or lists in the references that rank ETFs by performance metrics like percentage change or total return.
Looking through the references, I see that Number 1 and Number 7 have tables with ETFs sorted by percentage change and 1-month total return, respectively. Number 16 also has a table for 1-year total return. The user's question doesn't specify the time frame, but since the current date is 2025-08-25, the most recent data would be the 1-month and 1-year returns.
The user is a tech-savvy investor with a long-term horizon, but the question is about ETFs, so I should focus on the performance metrics. The user's profile mentions interest in P/E ratios and technical analysis, but the ETFs here are more about their returns and themes. However, the user's focus on tech might mean they prefer leveraged ETFs or those with high growth potential, which could align with the leveraged gold miner ETFs listed in the references.
I need to compile the top 10 from the available data. Number 7 lists the top 10 by 1-month return, and Number 16 by 1-year. The user might be interested in both short-term and long-term performance. However, the question is about the top 10 performing, so I should present both if possible, but the user didn't specify the time frame. Since the latest data is up to August 2025, the 1-month return (July 25 to August 25) and 1-year (August 2024 to 2025) are relevant.
I should create a table that combines the top performers from both time frames, but the user's question is about the top 10, so maybe just the 1-month or 1-year. Alternatively, present both. But the user didn't specify, so perhaps the 1-month is more current. However, the 1-year shows more sustained performance.
Wait, the user's question is "Top 10 Performing Gold ETFs" without a time frame. The references have both 1-month and 1-year data. To be comprehensive, I can present both, but the user might prefer the most recent. Alternatively, check if the user's profile indicates a preference for long-term, which would align with the 1-year data.
The user's profile mentions a long-term horizon, so the 1-year data might be more relevant. However, the 1-month data shows higher volatility and recent performance. The user is also interested in technical analysis, so recent performance could be more relevant for entry points.
Looking at the data, the 1-month top performers include leveraged ETFs like GDXU.P and NUGT.P with 38.35% and 26.81% returns. The 1-year data shows even higher returns, with GDXU.P at 130.06%. The user might be interested in high-growth, leveraged ETFs given their tech background, which often involves higher risk and reward.
I should structure the answer by first presenting the 1-month top 10, then the 1-year top 10, and maybe a comparison. But the user's question is about the top 10, so perhaps just the 1-month. However, the 1-year data is more comprehensive and shows sustained performance.
Wait, the user's question is "Top 10 Performing Gold ETFs" without specifying time frame. The references have both, so I should include both. But the user's profile mentions a long-term horizon, so the 1-year data might be more aligned. However, the 1-month data is more recent and could indicate current momentum.
I think the best approach is to present both the 1-month and 1-year top 10, highlighting the leveraged ETFs and their performance. Also, include a brief analysis of why these ETFs are performing well, such as market conditions, leverage, or company-specific factors from the background data.
Additionally, the user's profile mentions interest in technical analysis, so including recent price changes and volatility metrics from the references (like the CBOE Gold ETF Volatility Index) could add value. However, the references don't have direct data on volatility for individual ETFs, only the overall index. So maybe mention the general market volatility affecting ETF performance.
Also, the user is interested in P/E ratios, but the ETFs themselves don't have P/E ratios; the underlying companies do. However, the background data includes Gold Fields' P/E ratio of 15.2, which is relevant as a gold miner. The ETFs that track gold miners would be influenced by such metrics.
In the analysis, I should explain that leveraged ETFs (like GDXU.P and NUGT.P) amplify returns, making them top performers in the short term but also riskier. The user's tech background might appreciate the high returns but should be cautioned about the risks of leverage.
Finally, structure the answer with a conclusion, then detailed analysis with tables for both 1-month and 1-year returns, and a comparison of leveraged vs. non-leveraged ETFs. Also, mention the market context from the background, like gold prices hitting all-time highs and increased ETF inflows.
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### 🚀 **Conclusion**
**The top-performing gold ETFs in 2025 are dominated by leveraged and junior gold miner ETFs, driven by surging gold prices, geopolitical tensions, and safe-haven demand.** The **1-month and 1-year total returns** highlight the superior performance of leveraged ETFs like **GDXU.P (38.35% 1-month return)** and **NUGT.P (26.81% 1-month return)**, while **GDXU.P** leads the 1-year performance with a **130.06% return**. These ETFs capitalize on the bullish momentum in the gold mining sector, supported by record gold prices and favorable market conditions.
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### 📊 **Top 10 Performing Gold ETFs by 1-Month Total Return (2025)**
Here’s the breakdown of the top-performing gold ETFs over the past month (July 25–August 25, 2025):
| ETF Code | ETF Name | Last Price | Last Change | Theme | 1-Month Return |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------|--------------------------------|----------------|
| GDXU.P | MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs | $104.01 | +0.72% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **38.35%** |
| NUGT.P | Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares | $98.11 | +0.72% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **26.81%** |
| JNUG.P | Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares | $98.61 | +0.06% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **23.36%** |
| RING.O | iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | $51.48 | +0.57% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **14.07%** |
| GDX.P | VanEck Gold Miners ETF | $60.41 | +0.38% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **13.28%** |
| AUMI.O | Themes Gold Miners ETF | $62.09 | +0.39% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **12.86%** |
| GOEX.P | Global X Gold Explorers ETF | $51.97 | +0.38% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **12.19%** |
| GDXJ.P | VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | $76.31 | +0.05% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **11.88%** |
| SGDM.P | Sprott Gold Miners ETF | $51.26 | +0.32% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **11.86%** |
| GOAU.P | U.S. Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF | $32.55 | -0.01% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **8.1%** |
ETFs with Gold Theme; Top 10 Sorted by Percentage Change
|code|etf code|etf name|Last Price|Last Change|Theme|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|NUGT|NUGT.P|Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares|98.06|0.6672830000000001||169|
|GDXU|GDXU.P|MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs|103.9019|0.611891||169|
|RING|RING.O|iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF|51.48|0.5665169999999999||185|
|GDXY|GDXY.P|YieldMax Gold Miners Option Income Strategy ETF|15.5|0.518807||169|
|DGP|DGP.P|DB Gold Double Long ETN|103.9|0.406943||169|
|GDX|GDX.P|VanEck Gold Miners ETF|60.42|0.398804||169|
|AUMI|AUMI.O|Themes Gold Miners ETF|62.0936|0.389961||185|
|GOEX|GOEX.P|Global X Gold Explorers ETF|51.97|0.384967||169|
|SGDM|SGDM.P|Sprott Gold Miners ETF|51.2627|0.318395||169|
|SGDJ|SGDJ.P|Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF|55.04|0.223974||169|
---
### 📊 **Top 10 Performing Gold ETFs by 1-Year Total Return (2025)**
For a longer-term perspective, here’s the 1-year performance (August 2024–August 2025):
| ETF Code | ETF Name | Last Price | Last Change | Theme | 1-Year Return |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------|--------------------------------|---------------|
| GDXU.P | MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs | $104.01 | +0.72% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **130.06%** |
| JNUG.P | Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares | $98.61 | +0.06% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **121.35%** |
| NUGT.P | Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares | $98.11 | +0.72% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **104.06%** |
| SHNY.P | MicroSectors Gold 3X Leveraged ETNs | $71.57 | +0.17% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **82.16%** |
| AUMI.O | Themes Gold Miners ETF | $62.09 | +0.39% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **72.34%** |
| DGP.P | DB Gold Double Long ETN | $103.9 | +0.41% | Gold ETFs | **72.25%** |
| SGDM.P | Sprott Gold Miners ETF | $51.26 | +0.32% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **67.85%** |
| UGL.P | ProShares Ultra Gold | $35.61 | +0.10% | Gold ETFs | **65.12%** |
| GOEX.P | Global X Gold Explorers ETF | $51.97 | +0.38% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **65.01%** |
| GDXJ.P | VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | $76.31 | +0.05% | Gold ETFs, Passive Equity ETFs | **63.02%** |
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### 📉 **Key Takeaways**
1. **Leveraged ETFs Dominate**: ETFs like **GDXU.P** and **NUGT.P** amplify returns due to their **2x or 3x leverage**, making them top performers in both short-term and long-term periods.
2. **Gold Miner Focus**: ETFs tracking **junior gold miners** (e.g., **JNUG.P**) outperform due to their exposure to high-growth exploration and production companies.
3. **Market Context**: The rally in gold ETFs aligns with **record gold prices** (+118.39% YoY for Gold Fields Ltd ) and **$43.6B in global ETF inflows** .
4. **Risks**: Leveraged ETFs carry **compounding risks** and are unsuitable for long-term holding due to daily rebalancing effects.
For tech-savvy investors with a **long-term horizon**, consider pairing leveraged ETFs with **physically-backed gold ETFs** (e.g., **GLD**) to balance risk and reward.