BNDX vs. GDXJ
BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) and GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged), while GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BNDX returned 1.72%/yr vs 12.00%/yr for GDXJ. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BNDX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for GDXJ.
Performance
BNDX vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BNDX achieves a 1.02% return, which is significantly higher than GDXJ's -8.37% return. Over the past 10 years, BNDX has underperformed GDXJ with an annualized return of 1.72%, while GDXJ has yielded a comparatively higher 12.00% annualized return.
BNDX
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- 1.69%
- YTD
- 1.02%
- 6M
- 1.22%
- 1Y
- 2.27%
- 3Y*
- 4.32%
- 5Y*
- 0.32%
- 10Y*
- 1.72%
GDXJ
- 1D
- 3.15%
- 1M
- -10.41%
- YTD
- -8.37%
- 6M
- -6.68%
- 1Y
- 49.74%
- 3Y*
- 44.17%
- 5Y*
- 16.23%
- 10Y*
- 12.00%
BNDX vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 1.02% | 2.86% | 3.57% | 8.77% | -12.76% | -2.29% | 4.65% | 7.87% | 2.81% | 2.40% |
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | -8.37% | 172.28% | 15.67% | 7.12% | -14.53% | -21.25% | 30.40% | 40.44% | -11.02% | 8.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between BNDX and GDXJ is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2013 | 0.18 |
The correlation between BNDX and GDXJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BNDX vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank
BNDX
GDXJ
BNDX vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) 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.
| BNDX | GDXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.44 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.64 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.20 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.66 | 1.30 | -0.64 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.84 | 3.55 | -1.71 |
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Drawdowns
BNDX vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BNDX drawdown since its inception was -16.23%, smaller than the maximum GDXJ drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDX and GDXJ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BNDX | GDXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.23% | -88.66% | +72.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.93% | -39.47% | +36.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.93% | -39.47% | +36.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.86% | -48.79% | +32.93% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.23% | -57.77% | +41.54% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.02% | -33.25% | +32.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.10% | -60.45% | +57.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | 14.41% | -13.36% |
Volatility
BNDX vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) is 1.49%, while VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a volatility of 19.46%. This indicates that BNDX 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
| BNDX | GDXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.49% | 19.46% | -17.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.96% | 43.41% | -40.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.47% | 51.54% | -48.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.89% | 41.50% | -36.61% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.10% | 44.23% | -40.13% |
BNDX vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
BNDX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than GDXJ's 0.52% expense ratio.
Dividends
BNDX vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison
BNDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.47%, more than GDXJ's 2.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 4.47% | 4.39% | 4.18% | 4.42% | 1.51% | 3.74% | 1.11% | 3.40% | 3.01% | 2.23% | 1.89% | 1.63% |
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | 2.54% | 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
BNDX and GDXJ have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDXJ has higher volatility (19.46%) compared to BNDX (1.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDX dropped -16.23% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.
On 10-year performance, GDXJ leads with 12.00% vs 1.72% for BNDX. On fees, BNDX is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, BNDX has been the lower-risk option at 1.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 12.00% return vs 1.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BNDX is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for GDXJ.
BNDX has the higher dividend yield at 4.47%, compared with 2.54% for GDXJ.
BNDX is categorized as Global Bonds, while GDXJ is Gold. BNDX tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged), while GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for BNDX and 0.52% for GDXJ.
GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.56), 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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