Best Leveraged ETFs 2025: Magnifying Gold, Uber & Mexico
- Aggressive ETF investors seek to supercharge their returns with a range of assets.
- Leveraged ETFs are designed for short-term trading, not long-term holding.
The 2025 market has been defined by pockets of strong performance amid global volatility, and several leveraged ETFs have capitalized on those bright spots.
Gold has surged to record highs as investors seek safety from fiscal instability and inflation. Uber Technologies (UBER) has defied broader tech uncertainty, riding higher on strong earnings and AI-driven logistics innovation. Meanwhile, Mexican equities have climbed on reshoring tailwinds and resilient economic data.
The convergence of these themes has sent several leveraged ETFs soaring, capturing the attention of tactical traders and aggressive investors.
In this data dive, we’ll highlight the five best-performing leveraged ETFs, including how they work and why they’re outperforming year to date in 2025.
Gold, Uber and Mexico Lead Best Leveraged ETFs
Performance as of May 21, 2025: etf.com Pulse Tool & FactSet data
The ETF Pulse tool is a tracking tool that helps investors monitor top trending ETFs, analyze fund flows and performance metrics, and capitalize on real-time market trends. Give it a try today.
Top-Performing Leveraged ETFs of 2025: How They Work
Leveraged ETFs and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) aim to deliver a multiple—typically 2x or 3x—of the daily performance of an underlying index or asset. While they can amplify gains, they also magnify losses. And because they reset daily, their long-term performance can diverge significantly from their target multiple over time.
Here are five of the top-performing leveraged ETFs so far in 2025.
GDXU: MicroSectors Gold Miners 3x Leveraged ETN
The MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU) tracks 3x the daily performance of the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. It has soared this year as gold miners benefit from higher bullion prices and strong capital flows.
JNUG: Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2x Shares
The Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares (JNUG) provides 2x exposure to small-cap gold-mining companies. These junior miners are more sensitive to gold price moves and have surged amid bullish sentiment and M&A activity.
NUGT: Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2x Shares
The Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares (NUGT) offers 2x leverage to large-cap gold-mining companies by tracking the cap-weighted NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. The fund has rallied as investors rotate into inflation hedges and safe-haven equities.
UBRL: Direxion Daily UBER Bull 1.5x Shares
The GraniteShares 2x Long UBER Daily ETF (UBRL) delivers 1.5x the daily return of Uber stock. UBRL has gained on Uber’s profitable quarters and optimism around its expansion into AI-enhanced ride-hailing and delivery.
MEXX: Direxion Daily MSCI Mexico Bull 2x Shares
The Direxion Daily MSCI Mexico Bull 3X Shares (MEXX) tracks 2x the daily return of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index. It’s benefiting from U.S. supply chain reshoring, rising consumer demand and investor confidence in Mexico’s macro outlook.
Leveraged ETFs Surge in Popularity in 2025
The popularity of leveraged ETFs has grown in 2025 as retail and institutional investors alike look to supercharge their returns in a market marked by narrow leadership and selective strength. The rise of thematic and single-stock leveraged and inverse ETFs—like those tied to Uber, Tesla Inc. (TSLA) and Nvidia Corp. (NVDA)—has turned them into powerful tactical tools.
At the same time, country-specific leveraged ETFs, such as MEXX, have enabled investors to capture macroeconomic tailwinds without using derivatives directly.
Leveraged and Inverse ETFs: High-Risk, High-Reward Tools
Looking ahead, leveraged and inverse ETFs are likely to remain popular for investors looking to make directional bets or hedge positions. In a year of policy uncertainty, shifting inflation dynamics and geopolitical instability, these instruments provide the ability to respond quickly to market developments.
However, advisors and investors must remember that leveraged ETFs are designed for short-term trading, not long-term holding. Their daily compounding effect can erode returns over time, especially in choppy or sideways markets. They’re best suited for experienced investors who understand the risks—and not typically appropriate for buy-and-hold portfolios or beginners.
