BBH vs. GDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BBH (VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BBH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Biotech 25 Index, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BBH returned 5.75%/yr vs 13.98%/yr for GDX. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BBH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

BBH vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) 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, BBH achieves a -1.85% return, which is significantly lower than GDX's -0.90% return. Over the past 10 years, BBH has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of 5.75%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.98% annualized return.

BBH

• 1D: 2.22%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: -1.85%
• 6M: -5.32%
• 1Y: 23.92%
• 3Y*: 6.14%
• 5Y*: 0.31%
• 10Y*: 5.75%

GDX

• 1D: -3.46%
• 1M: -0.76%
• YTD: -0.90%
• 6M: 5.62%
• 1Y: 61.27%
• 3Y*: 41.00%
• 5Y*: 18.69%
• 10Y*: 13.98%

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

BBH vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBH VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF	-1.85%	21.18%	-4.29%	3.94%	-15.25%	11.81%	22.13%	26.34%	-10.70%	16.46%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-0.90%	154.77%	10.63%	9.98%	-9.01%	-9.52%	23.66%	39.84%	-8.77%	11.99%

Correlation

The correlation between BBH and GDX is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2006	0.17

BBH vs. GDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBH	GDX
Healthcare	99.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BBH vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBH

BBH Risk / Return Rank: 37
BBH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
BBH Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
BBH Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BBH Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
BBH Martin Ratio Rank: 37

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 35
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

BBH vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) 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.

	BBH	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	1.35	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	1.76	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.25	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	2.00	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.81	5.13	+0.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBH vs. GDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBH Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the GDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBH 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

	BBH	GDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	1.35	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.52	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.38	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.13	+0.26

Drawdowns

BBH vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBH drawdown since its inception was -72.70%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBH and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBH	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.70%	-80.34%	+7.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.55%	-30.84%	+20.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.74%	-30.84%	+8.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.86%	-46.51%	+6.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.86%	-49.79%	+9.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.81%	-26.62%	+12.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.75%	-40.43%	+19.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.13%	11.99%	-7.86%

Volatility

BBH vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) is 6.06%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 15.40%. This indicates that BBH 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

	BBH	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.06%	15.40%	-9.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.28%	37.50%	-23.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.02%	45.49%	-26.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.50%	36.39%	-14.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.17%	37.18%	-15.01%

BBH vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBH vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

BBH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.51%, less than GDX's 0.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBH VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF	0.51%	0.51%	0.80%	0.43%	0.47%	0.21%	0.36%	0.34%	0.50%	0.55%	0.30%	0.27%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	0.74%	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 BBH and GDX in my portfolio?

BBH and GDX have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBH or GDX?

GDX has higher volatility (15.40%) compared to BBH (6.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBH dropped -72.70% vs GDX's -80.34%.

Which ETF is better, BBH or GDX?

On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 13.98% vs 5.75% for BBH. On fees, BBH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, BBH has been the lower-risk option at 6.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBH or GDX?

Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 13.98% return vs 5.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBH or GDX?

BBH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for GDX.

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

GDX has the higher dividend yield at 0.74%, compared with 0.51% for BBH.

What is the main difference between BBH and GDX?

BBH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while GDX is Gold. BBH tracks MVIS US Listed Biotech 25 Index, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BBH and 0.51% for GDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 1.26), 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.