5 Worst Performing ETFs of 2025 So Far

Core Insights - U.S. stocks are experiencing strong performance in 2025, with the S&P 500 up 16.8% and the Nasdaq-100 up 22.3% year to date [1][2] - Conversely, leveraged ETFs that bet against stocks or sectors have performed poorly, with significant losses reported [2] Group 1: Poor Performing ETFs - Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2x Shares ETF has seen a year-to-date performance decline of 89.2%, as gold prices have surged approximately 60% [4][5] - Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bear 2x Shares ETF is down 87% year to date, mirroring the performance of junior gold miners but focusing on larger gold mining stocks [7] - Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares ETF has dropped 85.8% year to date, as the AI boom has significantly increased demand for semiconductor stocks [11][12] Group 2: Cryptocurrency-Related ETFs - Defiance Daily Target 2x Long MSTR ETF is down 82.8% year to date, as its performance is tied to the declining value of MicroStrategy, which has fallen over 45% [14] - T-Rex 2x Long MSTR Daily Target ETF has a similar performance, down 82.7% year to date, with a slightly lower expense ratio providing minimal relief to shareholders [15]