ARCNX vs. GDX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ARCNX (AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both funds - ARCNX is a Commodities fund managed by AQR, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Over the past 10 years, ARCNX returned 12.02%/yr vs 14.38%/yr for GDX. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARCNX charges 1.28%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

ARCNX vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N (ARCNX) 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, ARCNX achieves a 21.24% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's 2.66% return. Over the past 10 years, ARCNX has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of 12.02%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.38% annualized return.

ARCNX

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: -0.63%
• YTD: 21.24%
• 6M: 23.89%
• 1Y: 40.32%
• 3Y*: 17.70%
• 5Y*: 15.00%
• 10Y*: 12.02%

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)

ARCNX vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARCNX AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N	21.24%	20.76%	7.19%	-0.50%	20.97%	39.48%	8.11%	17.68%	-17.83%	10.20%
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 ARCNX and GDX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2012	0.41

The correlation between ARCNX and GDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (1 year) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ARCNX vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARCNX

ARCNX Risk / Return Rank: 84
ARCNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
ARCNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ARCNX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ARCNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ARCNX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

ARCNX vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N (ARCNX) 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.

	ARCNX	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.86	1.44	+1.42
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	1.84	+1.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.26	+0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.00	2.44	+2.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.67	6.32	+11.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARCNX vs. GDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARCNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.86, which is higher than the GDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARCNX 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

	ARCNX	GDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.86	1.44	+1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.55	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.39	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.13	+0.17

Drawdowns

ARCNX vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARCNX drawdown since its inception was -55.17%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARCNX and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARCNX	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.17%	-80.34%	+25.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.28%	-30.84%	+22.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.65%	-30.84%	+17.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.30%	-46.51%	+26.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.80%	-49.79%	+16.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.11%	-23.99%	+19.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.96%	-40.44%	+14.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	11.87%	-9.53%

Volatility

ARCNX vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N (ARCNX) is 4.93%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 15.07%. This indicates that ARCNX 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

	ARCNX	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	15.07%	-10.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.68%	37.34%	-24.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.00%	45.72%	-30.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.05%	36.39%	-17.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.44%	37.17%	-19.73%

ARCNX vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARCNX has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is higher than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARCNX vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

ARCNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.19%, more than GDX's 0.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARCNX AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N	11.19%	13.57%	1.89%	7.45%	9.45%	18.31%	0.09%	4.98%	0.29%	0.01%	4.69%	0.00%
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 ARCNX and GDX in my portfolio?

ARCNX and GDX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARCNX or GDX?

GDX has higher volatility (15.07%) compared to ARCNX (4.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARCNX dropped -55.17% vs GDX's -80.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARCNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 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.