AVLV vs. GDXJ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

AVLV (Avantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF) and GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVLV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. AVLV is actively managed, while GDXJ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVLV returned 22.32%/yr vs 42.13%/yr for GDXJ. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AVLV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for GDXJ.

Performance

AVLV vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF (AVLV) 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, AVLV achieves a 19.32% return, which is significantly higher than GDXJ's -10.70% return.

AVLV

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 2.66%
• YTD: 19.32%
• 6M: 20.75%
• 1Y: 36.34%
• 3Y*: 22.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GDXJ

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -19.25%
• YTD: -10.70%
• 6M: -0.52%
• 1Y: 50.65%
• 3Y*: 42.13%
• 5Y*: 15.86%
• 10Y*: 11.53%

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

AVLV vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AVLV Avantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF	19.32%	15.12%	17.49%	17.43%	-5.53%	5.92%
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	-10.70%	172.28%	15.67%	7.12%	-14.53%	9.05%

Correlation

The correlation between AVLV and GDXJ is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2021	0.31

AVLV vs. GDXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVLV	GDXJ
Technology	17.2%	-
Financial Services	16.3%	-
Industrials	15.4%	-
Energy	14.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	14.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	-
Communication Services	6.9%	-
Healthcare	5.6%	-
Basic Materials	2.0%	100.0%
Utilities	0.3%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

AVLV vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVLV

AVLV Risk / Return Rank: 92
AVLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
AVLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
AVLV Omega Ratio Rank: 90
AVLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
AVLV Martin Ratio Rank: 93

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 31
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

AVLV vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF (AVLV) 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.

	AVLV	GDXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.96	1.00	+1.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.07	1.45	+2.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.20	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.71	1.43	+4.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.78	3.72	+19.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVLV vs. GDXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVLV Sharpe Ratio is 2.96, which is higher than the GDXJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVLV 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AVLV	GDXJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.96	1.00	+1.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.05	+0.80

Drawdowns

AVLV vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVLV drawdown since its inception was -19.50%, smaller than the maximum GDXJ drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVLV and GDXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVLV	GDXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.50%	-88.66%	+69.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.39%	-35.60%	+29.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.50%	-35.60%	+16.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-50.99%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-57.77%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-34.94%	+33.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.92%	-60.48%	+56.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	13.67%	-12.07%

Volatility

AVLV vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF (AVLV) is 3.00%, while VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a volatility of 17.66%. This indicates that AVLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVLV	GDXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	17.66%	-14.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.21%	42.71%	-33.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.38%	50.84%	-38.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	41.34%	-23.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.35%	44.15%	-26.80%

AVLV vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVLV has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than GDXJ's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVLV vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison

AVLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less than GDXJ's 2.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVLV Avantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF	1.08%	1.33%	1.58%	1.85%	2.00%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	2.61%	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 AVLV and GDXJ in my portfolio?

AVLV and GDXJ have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVLV or GDXJ?

GDXJ has higher volatility (17.66%) compared to AVLV (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVLV dropped -19.50% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.

Which ETF is better, AVLV or GDXJ?

On 3-year performance, GDXJ leads with 42.13% vs 22.32% for AVLV. On fees, AVLV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AVLV has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVLV or GDXJ?

Over the 3-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 42.13% return vs 22.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVLV or GDXJ?

AVLV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for GDXJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVLV or GDXJ?

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 1.08% for AVLV.

What is the main difference between AVLV and GDXJ?

AVLV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while GDXJ is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVLV and 0.52% for GDXJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 vs 1.00), 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.