Top Performing Leveraged/Inverse ETFs: 01/18/2026

These were last week’s top performing leveraged and inverse ETFs. Note that because of leverage, these kinds of funds can move quickly. Always do your homework.

1. RIOX – Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RIOT ETF

RIOX aims to provide 2x long daily price performance of Riot Platforms, Inc., focusing on cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency mining computers, topped the levered ETFs list with over 52% weekly gains. Riot Platforms saw its stock price climb following the announcement of sales of its Bitcoin to fund a $96 million land acquisition in Rockdale, Texas, securing permanent ownership of its flagship site.

2. AMDL – GraniteShares 2x Long AMD Daily ETF

AMDL provides 2x leveraged exposure to the daily price movement for shares of Advanced Micro Devices stock, ranked second on the list, with over 29% weekly gains. AMD stock is soaring as the company transitions into a full-stack AI powerhouse, headlined by its new Helios rack-scale platform. Analysts are bullish on this strategy, citing rapid data-center growth and key partnerships with companies as evidence that AMD is becoming the primary open-standard alternative to Nvidia.

3. AGQ – Proshares Ultra Silver

AGQ ETF, which offers 2x daily long leverage to the Silver bullion, returned ~24% last week. Silver prices hit all-time highs after President Trump threatened to slap tariffs over Greenland.

4. MSTX – Defiance Daily Target 2x Long MSTR ETF

MSTX seeks to provide 2x leveraged exposure to the daily share price movement of MicroStrategy Inc. (NYSE: MSTR) was present on the list. The software company’s shares jumped last week as the broader crypto market rallied and Vanguard, one of the world’s largest asset managers, disclosed its first $505 million investment in the company. The move marks a major milestone for institutional adoption, as Vanguard’s mid-cap index fund now holds 2.91 million shares of the Bitcoin-heavy firm.

5. BABX – GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF

BABX, which provides 2x leveraged exposure to the daily price movement for shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited stock, was one of the leveraged ETFs’ candidates making the list with ~19% weekly gains. Alibaba stock surged as its AI models became increasingly popular among developers. Investor confidence was further bolstered by new Chinese regulations curbing food-delivery price wars, a move expected to stabilize margins for Alibaba’s quick commerce division.

6. MST – Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF

MST, another actively managed fund that provides 1.5x to 2x leveraged exposure to the daily share price movement of MicroStrategy Incorporated (NYSE: MSTR), also featured on the list with over 16% weekly gains.

7. SMCX – Defiance Daily Target 2X Long SMCI ETF

SMCX seeks to deliver 2x leveraged exposure to the daily share price movement of Super Micro Computer, featured on the top-performing levered ETFs’ list. Super Micro’s (NASDAQ: SMCI) stock rose last week, following blockbuster earnings from TSMC. Investors are betting that record chip production directly fuels demand for Super Micro’s high-performance servers, which serve as the essential housing for that new hardware.

8. GDXU – MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN

GDXU is a leveraged equity fund that provides 3x exposure to an index comprised of two of the largest gold miners’ ETFs, viz VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ), that invest in the global gold mining industry. GDXU returned over 15% last week. Gold prices increased amid escalating geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.

9. DFEN – Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares

This ETF that aims to triple the daily return of an index of defense industry stocks was one of the top-performing levered ETFs last week, with over 14% weekly gains. The sector got a boost from proposed massive U.S. military budget increases, driven by heightened global geopolitical tensions, ongoing conflicts (like U.S.-Venezuela), and investor anticipation for future defense spending.

10. ETHU – 2x Ether ETF

ETHU ETF, which aims to provide 2x the daily price movements of Ether, made it to the Levered/ Inverse ETFs’ list with over 14% weekly gains. Ethereum’s price surged due to record staking levels and a massive $200 million investment from BitMine into Beast Industries. This aggressive institutional backing, combined with a tightening supply, has solidified Ethereum’s role as the primary backbone in the digital economy.

For more news, information, and analysis, visit the Leveraged & Inverse Content Hub.