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ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

ESGI.AX (VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF) and GDX.AX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGI.AX is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World ex Australia ex Fossil Fuel Select SRI and Low Carbon Capped Index, while GDX.AX is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the VanEck Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGI.AX returned 10.39%/yr vs 19.55%/yr for GDX.AX. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF (ESGI.AX) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGI.AX achieves a 6.43% return, which is significantly higher than GDX.AX's -17.99% return.

ESGI.AX

1D
-0.45%
1M
4.59%
6M
4.93%
YTD
6.43%
1Y
8.19%
3Y*
14.32%
5Y*
10.39%
10Y*
—

GDX.AX

1D
-0.71%
1M
-10.41%
6M
-27.13%
YTD
-17.99%
1Y
34.35%
3Y*
33.43%
5Y*
19.55%
10Y*
11.49%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
ESGI.AX
VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF		6.43%6.29%23.14%16.95%-7.32%24.77%4.97%28.97%-2.79%
GDX.AX
VanEck Gold Miners ETF		-17.99%143.80%19.59%10.67%-1.08%-8.19%13.31%45.23%6.37%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGI.AX and GDX.AX is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.24

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.14

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.14

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2018

0.08

The correlation between ESGI.AX and GDX.AX shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF

VanEck Gold Miners ETF

Return for Risk

ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ESGI.AX
ESGI.AX Risk / Return Rank: 1919
Overall Rank
ESGI.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2121
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESGI.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2121
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESGI.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 2020
Omega Ratio Rank
ESGI.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1717
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESGI.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
Martin Ratio Rank
GDX.AX
GDX.AX Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
GDX.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GDX.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
GDX.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 2727
Omega Ratio Rank
GDX.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2424
Calmar Ratio Rank
GDX.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 2121
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF (ESGI.AX) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX.AX). 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.

ESGI.AXGDX.AXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.62
0.77

-0.15

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.98
1.24

-0.26

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.12

1.16

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.60

0.95

-0.35

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.38

2.05

-0.67

ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGI.AX Sharpe Ratio is 0.62, which is comparable to the GDX.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGI.AX and GDX.AX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGI.AX drawdown since its inception was -22.88%, smaller than the maximum GDX.AX drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGI.AX and GDX.AX.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESGI.AXGDX.AXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-22.88%

-45.51%

+22.63%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.92%

-36.27%

+21.35%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.92%

-36.27%

+21.35%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-19.38%

-38.41%

+19.03%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-45.51%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.00%

-36.27%

+35.27%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.51%

-19.69%

+15.18%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

6.53%

17.14%

-10.61%

Volatility

ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF (ESGI.AX) is 3.61%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX.AX) has a volatility of 11.80%. This indicates that ESGI.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDX.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESGI.AXGDX.AXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.61%

11.80%

-8.19%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.18%

36.98%

-24.80%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.33%

44.45%

-30.12%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.00%

32.60%

-19.60%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

13.86%

33.49%

-19.63%

Dividends

ESGI.AX vs. GDX.AX - Dividend Comparison

ESGI.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, less than GDX.AX's 19.79% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ESGI.AX
VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF		2.71%6.43%6.58%3.35%2.39%1.42%1.50%1.55%0.52%0.00%0.00%0.00%
GDX.AX
VanEck Gold Miners ETF		19.79%0.48%1.35%3.05%0.00%0.00%0.45%0.55%0.87%0.00%0.39%1.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESGI.AX and GDX.AX have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ESGI.AX is categorized as Global Equities, while GDX.AX is Commodity Producers Equities. ESGI.AX tracks MSCI World ex Australia ex Fossil Fuel Select SRI and Low Carbon Capped Index, while GDX.AX tracks VanEck Gold Miners Index.

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