Top Performing Leveraged/Inverse ETFs: 05/17/2026

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. GDXD – MicroSectors Gold Miners -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs

GDXD, which aims to provide 300% daily inverse exposure to a market-cap weighted index comprising two gold miners ETFs, topped the list of Inverse ETFs. Gold prices fell sharply due to a stronger U.S. dollar, surging Treasury yields, and cooling hopes for near-term interest rate cuts. Escalating energy costs renewed inflation fears, prompting markets to price out rate cut expectations and look for higher yields.

2. NRGU – MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil 3 Leveraged ETN

NRGU, which tracks three times the performance of an index of US Oil & Gas companies, featured on the levered weekly list, returning over 21%. Oil prices increased last week due to escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran.

3. WTIU – MicroSectors Energy 3X Leveraged ETNs

WTIU, an exchange-traded note that tracks 3x of the daily price movements of an index of US-listed energy and oil companies, ranked among the top-performing leveraged contenders last week. Oil prices surged as a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz sparked severe supply fears.

4. OILU – MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exp. & Prod. 3x Leveraged ETN

OILU, which provides 3x daily leveraged exposure to a tier-weighted index of US firms involved in oil and gas exploration and production, was another energy fund on the list of levered ETFs with over 18% weekly gains. Escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran drove up oil prices last week.

5. OILU – MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exp. & Prod. 3x Leveraged ETN

OILU, which provides 3x daily leveraged exposure to a tier-weighted index of US firms involved in oil and gas exploration and production, was present on the list of levered ETFs with over 18% weekly gains.

6. BZQ – ProShares Ultrashort MSCI Brazil Capped

The BZQ ETF offers a good way to play the bearish short-term outlook for Brazilian large-cap stocks. This inverse ETF returned ~16% in the last week. Brazil’s stock market fell recently due to a combination of rising inflation forecasts, stalling US-Iran tensions, and political uncertainty. Foreign capital flight—driven by investors fleeing emerging markets amid persistent inflation and shifting monetary policies—was a primary catalyst.

7. CARD – MAX Auto Industry -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN

CARD, an exchange-traded note that tracks -3x of the daily price movements of an index consisting of US-listed auto companies, was one of the contenders on the list with ~15% weekly returns, due to a broader market sell-off triggered by rising U.S. Treasury yields and renewed inflation worries. Investors trimmed exposure to capital-intensive sectors as strong economic data delayed expected Federal Reserve rate cuts, while persistent affordability pressures and elevated crude oil prices further weighed on consumer auto demand.

8. JDST – Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X ETF

Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares or JDST, which seeks daily investment results of 200% of the inverse of the performance of the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, was another gold-focused top-performing inverse ETF, returning ~15% in the last week.

9. FLYD – MicroSectors Travel -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN

FLYD, which tracks -3x the daily price movements of an index of US-listed travel-related companies, also ranked among the weekly list of inverse ETFs with ~14.8% returns, due to a sharp spike in global oil prices triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

10. DUST – Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bear 2x ETF

DUST, which provides inverse levered exposure to Global Gold Miners, was another gold-focused top inverse ETF returning ~14.8% last week.

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