AFK vs. GDX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AFK is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AFK returned 5.75%/yr vs 14.38%/yr for GDX. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AFK charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

AFK vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFK achieves a 3.48% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's 2.66% return. Over the past 10 years, AFK has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of 5.75%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.38% annualized return.

AFK

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 3.48%
• 6M: 13.04%
• 1Y: 44.31%
• 3Y*: 23.18%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: 5.75%

GDX

• 1D: 1.58%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 2.66%
• 6M: 8.67%
• 1Y: 64.94%
• 3Y*: 42.66%
• 5Y*: 19.85%
• 10Y*: 14.38%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AFK vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	3.48%	74.71%	12.10%	-12.11%	-17.31%	3.00%	4.26%	9.90%	-19.55%	28.22%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	2.66%	154.77%	10.63%	9.98%	-9.01%	-9.52%	23.66%	39.84%	-8.77%	11.99%

Correlation

The correlation between AFK and GDX is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2008	0.42

Over the past year, AFK and GDX have become more correlated (0.70) than their long-term average of 0.42, meaning their price movements have been converging.

AFK vs. GDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFK	GDX
Financial Services	37.7%	-
Basic Materials	32.5%	100.0%
Communication Services	12.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.5%	-
Energy	4.7%	-
Industrials	3.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	-
Healthcare	0.5%	-
Real Estate	0.2%	-
Utilities	0.2%	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

AFK vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AFK

AFK Risk / Return Rank: 48
AFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
AFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
AFK Omega Ratio Rank: 50
AFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
AFK Martin Ratio Rank: 45

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 40
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AFK vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AFK	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.44	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	1.84	+0.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.26	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.44	0.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.38	6.32	+1.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFK vs. GDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFK Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the GDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFK and GDX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AFK	GDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.44	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.55	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.39	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	0.13	-0.12

Drawdowns

AFK vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFK drawdown since its inception was -62.46%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFK and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFK	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.46%	-80.34%	+17.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.54%	-30.84%	+11.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.54%	-30.84%	+11.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.46%	-46.51%	+8.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.33%	-49.79%	-3.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.42%	-23.99%	+14.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.04%	-40.44%	+8.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.45%	11.87%	-5.42%

Volatility

AFK vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) is 8.12%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 15.07%. This indicates that AFK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFK	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.12%	15.07%	-6.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.33%	37.34%	-15.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.62%	45.72%	-20.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.07%	36.39%	-14.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.16%	37.17%	-15.01%

AFK vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFK has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFK vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

AFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, more than GDX's 0.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	0.98%	1.02%	0.00%	2.27%	3.59%	4.17%	3.91%	6.34%	1.71%	1.99%	2.67%	2.16%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	0.72%	0.74%	1.19%	1.61%	1.66%	1.67%	0.53%	0.67%	0.50%	0.76%	0.26%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFK and GDX in my portfolio?

AFK and GDX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFK or GDX?

GDX has higher volatility (15.07%) compared to AFK (8.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFK dropped -62.46% vs GDX's -80.34%.

Which ETF is better, AFK or GDX?

On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 14.38% vs 5.75% for AFK. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, AFK has been the lower-risk option at 8.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFK or GDX?

Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 14.38% return vs 5.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFK or GDX?

GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for AFK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFK or GDX?

AFK has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.72% for GDX.

What is the main difference between AFK and GDX?

AFK is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while GDX is Gold. AFK tracks Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for AFK and 0.51% for GDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.44), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.