Best-Performing Leveraged ETF Areas of 2025

Market Overview - The year 2025 began with optimism but faced challenges from low-cost AI initiatives from China, Trump tariffs, sticky inflation, and high interest rates, leading to market turbulence in April before stabilization in May [1] - Market euphoria solidified midyear due to easing trade tensions and three Federal Reserve rate cuts starting in September, but momentum faded with a government shutdown halting economic progress and raising overvaluation concerns in the AI sector [2] Performance of Major Indices - Wall Street showed resilience in 2025, with the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) up 16.6%, the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) up 20.3%, and the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) up 14.5% year-to-date as of December 12, 2025 [3] Winning Leveraged ETFs - Gold Miners: MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETNs (GDXU) surged 794.9% as gold prices rose over 60% year-to-date, driven by central bank buying and safe-haven demand amid U.S. debt concerns [4] - Rocket Lab: Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RKLB ETF (RKLX) increased 529.2%, with Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) stock gaining over 146% due to NASA contracts and excitement in the space sector [5] - Micron: Direxion Daily MU Bull 2X Shares (MUU) rose 408.3%, with Micron Technology (MU) stock up 176% driven by high demand for high-bandwidth memory and pricing recovery for DRAM [6] - Robinhood: Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HOOD ETF (HOOX) climbed 368.8%, with Robinhood Markets Inc (HOOD) stock up 203% due to increased trading volumes and retail investor interest [7] - South Korea: Direxion Daily MSCI South Korea Bull 3x Shares (KORU) increased 336.2%, with South Korea's KOSPI climbing about 73% driven by the AI boom and strong performance from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix [8] - D-Wave Quantum: Tradr 2X Long QBTS Daily ETF (QBTX) rose 312.0%, with D-Wave Quantum Inc (QBTS) stock up 171.6% due to enthusiasm for quantum technologies [10] - Applovin: Tradr 2X Long APP Daily ETF (APPX) increased 307.0%, with Applovin Corp (APP) stock up 96.2% driven by its AI-driven advertising platform and strong financial results [11] - Silver: ProShares Ultra Silver (AGQ) rose 272.4%, with rising industrial demand and supply shortages boosting silver prices [12]