BAR vs. GDXJ
BAR (GraniteShares Gold Trust) and GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both Gold funds - BAR tracks the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt) while GDXJ tracks the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BAR returned 17.26%/yr vs 18.66%/yr for GDXJ. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BAR charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for GDXJ.
Performance
BAR vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BAR achieves a -6.10% return, which is significantly higher than GDXJ's -13.28% return.
BAR
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- -1.60%
- 6M
- -12.98%
- YTD
- -6.10%
- 1Y
- 20.54%
- 3Y*
- 27.61%
- 5Y*
- 17.26%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 13.26%
GDXJ
- 1D
- 3.44%
- 1M
- -4.12%
- 6M
- -20.48%
- YTD
- -13.28%
- 1Y
- 55.23%
- 3Y*
- 43.15%
- 5Y*
- 18.66%
- 10Y*
- 8.85%
- ALL TIME*
- 1.78%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8.15M | $7.49M | $9.63M | |
| $470.71M | $441.62M | $622.38M |
BAR vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BAR GraniteShares Gold Trust | -6.10% | 64.12% | 26.97% | 12.96% | -0.55% | -3.92% | 25.02% | 18.16% | -1.87% | -0.79% |
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | -13.28% | 172.28% | 15.67% | 7.12% | -14.53% | -21.25% | 30.40% | 40.44% | -11.02% | -2.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between BAR and GDXJ is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.79 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2017 | 0.77 |
The correlation between BAR and GDXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BAR vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank
BAR
GDXJ
BAR vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) 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.
| BAR | GDXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.20 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.78 | 1.34 | -0.56 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.68 | 2.83 | -1.15 |
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Drawdowns
BAR vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BAR drawdown since its inception was -26.32%, smaller than the maximum GDXJ drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAR and GDXJ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BAR | GDXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -26.32% | -88.66% | +62.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -26.32% | -41.32% | +15.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.32% | -41.32% | +15.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.32% | -48.79% | +22.47% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -57.77% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -24.94% | -36.83% | +11.89% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.76% | -60.25% | +53.49% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.26% | 19.56% | -7.30% |
Volatility
BAR vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) is 5.98%, while VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a volatility of 14.46%. This indicates that BAR 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.
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Volatility by Period
| BAR | GDXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.98% | 14.46% | -8.48% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.76% | 42.31% | -21.55% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.90% | 54.05% | -26.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.38% | 42.11% | -23.73% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.61% | 44.20% | -27.59% |
BAR vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
BAR has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than GDXJ's 0.52% expense ratio.
Dividends
BAR vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison
BAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BAR GraniteShares Gold Trust | 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 | 2.69% | 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
BAR and GDXJ have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDXJ has higher volatility (14.46%) compared to BAR (5.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAR dropped -26.32% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.
On 5-year performance, GDXJ leads with 18.66% vs 17.26% for BAR. On fees, BAR is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, BAR has been the lower-risk option at 5.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 18.66% return vs 17.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BAR is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for GDXJ.
GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.00% for BAR.
BAR tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for BAR and 0.52% for GDXJ.
GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.03 vs 0.74), 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.
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