BKLN vs. GDX
BKLN (Invesco Senior Loan ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BKLN is a Bank Loan fund tracking the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan 100 Index, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BKLN returned 4.32%/yr vs 13.81%/yr for GDX. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKLN charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.
Performance
BKLN vs. GDX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BKLN achieves a -0.04% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's -0.58% return. Over the past 10 years, BKLN has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of 4.32%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.81% annualized return.
BKLN
- 1D
- 0.15%
- 1M
- -0.24%
- YTD
- -0.04%
- 6M
- 0.36%
- 1Y
- 4.59%
- 3Y*
- 7.18%
- 5Y*
- 5.09%
- 10Y*
- 4.32%
GDX
- 1D
- 6.55%
- 1M
- -2.38%
- YTD
- -0.58%
- 6M
- 1.22%
- 1Y
- 57.71%
- 3Y*
- 41.18%
- 5Y*
- 19.97%
- 10Y*
- 13.81%
BKLN vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BKLN Invesco Senior Loan ETF | -0.04% | 6.88% | 8.21% | 12.53% | -2.51% | 2.32% | 1.32% | 10.03% | -1.32% | 2.13% |
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -0.58% | 154.77% | 10.63% | 9.98% | -9.01% | -9.52% | 23.66% | 39.84% | -8.77% | 11.99% |
Correlation
The correlation between BKLN and GDX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2011 | 0.16 |
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Return for Risk
BKLN vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank
BKLN
GDX
BKLN vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) 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.
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.
| BKLN | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.23 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.50 | 1.60 | -0.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.88 | 4.39 | +1.48 |
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Drawdowns
BKLN vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BKLN drawdown since its inception was -24.17%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKLN and GDX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BKLN | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -24.17% | -80.34% | +56.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.07% | -36.28% | +33.21% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.55% | -36.28% | +32.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.31% | -46.51% | +39.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -24.17% | -49.79% | +25.62% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.48% | -26.39% | +25.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.09% | -40.41% | +39.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.78% | 13.22% | -12.44% |
Volatility
BKLN vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is 0.53%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 18.56%. This indicates that BKLN 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.
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Volatility by Period
| BKLN | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.53% | 18.56% | -18.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.54% | 39.52% | -36.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.76% | 47.30% | -44.54% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.48% | 36.86% | -32.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.43% | 37.37% | -30.94% |
BKLN vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BKLN has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.
Dividends
BKLN vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison
BKLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.63%, more than GDX's 0.74% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BKLN Invesco Senior Loan ETF | 6.63% | 6.95% | 8.41% | 8.59% | 4.93% | 3.11% | 3.56% | 4.86% | 4.52% | 3.50% | 4.54% | 4.12% |
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
BKLN and GDX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDX has higher volatility (18.56%) compared to BKLN (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKLN dropped -24.17% vs GDX's -80.34%.
On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 13.81% vs 4.32% for BKLN. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, BKLN has been the lower-risk option at 0.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 13.81% return vs 4.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for BKLN.
BKLN has the higher dividend yield at 6.63%, compared with 0.74% for GDX.
BKLN is categorized as Bank Loan, while GDX is Gold. BKLN tracks Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan 100 Index, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for BKLN and 0.51% for GDX.
BKLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.23), 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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