AQST vs. GDXJ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AQST (Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc.) is a stock, while GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) is Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Over the past 5 years, AQST returned -0.29%/yr vs 16.23%/yr for GDXJ. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AQST vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. (AQST) and VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AQST achieves a -35.45% return, which is significantly lower than GDXJ's -8.37% return.

AQST

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 0.97%
• YTD: -35.45%
• 6M: -32.85%
• 1Y: 25.98%
• 3Y*: 22.65%
• 5Y*: -0.29%
• 10Y*: —

GDXJ

• 1D: 3.15%
• 1M: -19.14%
• YTD: -8.37%
• 6M: -6.68%
• 1Y: 51.06%
• 3Y*: 44.17%
• 5Y*: 16.23%
• 10Y*: 12.00%

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

AQST vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AQST Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc.	-35.45%	81.46%	76.24%	123.92%	-76.81%	-27.29%	-8.08%	-7.62%	-58.14%
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	-8.37%	172.28%	15.67%	7.12%	-14.53%	-21.25%	30.40%	40.44%	-5.25%

Correlation

The correlation between AQST and GDXJ is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2018	0.13

Return for Risk

AQST vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AQST

AQST Risk / Return Rank: 56
AQST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
AQST Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
AQST Omega Ratio Rank: 62
AQST Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
AQST Martin Ratio Rank: 52

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 31
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

AQST vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. (AQST) and VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AQST	GDXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.31	1.00	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.11	1.45	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.20	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.43	1.30	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.81	3.55	-2.74

AQST vs. GDXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AQST Sharpe Ratio is 0.31, which is lower than the GDXJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AQST and GDXJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AQST vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AQST drawdown since its inception was -96.68%, which is greater than GDXJ's maximum drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AQST and GDXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AQST	GDXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.68%	-88.66%	-8.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-60.61%	-39.47%	-21.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-63.55%	-39.47%	-24.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-90.11%	-49.76%	-40.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-57.77%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.01%	-33.25%	-44.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-76.92%	-60.45%	-16.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	32.01%	14.41%	+17.60%

Volatility

AQST vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison

Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. (AQST) has a higher volatility of 21.51% compared to VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) at 19.46%. This indicates that AQST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AQST	GDXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.51%	19.46%	+2.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	68.41%	43.41%	+25.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	85.07%	51.54%	+33.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	82.62%	41.50%	+41.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	87.69%	44.23%	+43.46%

Dividends

AQST vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison

AQST has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AQST Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	2.54%	2.33%	2.61%	0.72%	0.51%	1.78%	1.58%	0.39%	0.45%	0.03%	4.78%	0.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AQST and GDXJ in my portfolio?

AQST and GDXJ have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AQST or GDXJ?

AQST has higher volatility (21.51%) compared to GDXJ (19.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AQST dropped -96.68% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.31), 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.