EVX vs. GDXJ

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

EVX (VanEck Vectors Environmental Services ETF) and GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EVX is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index, while GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EVX returned 11.96%/yr vs 8.85%/yr for GDXJ. Their 0.21 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. EVX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for GDXJ.

Performance

EVX vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Environmental Services ETF (EVX) and VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EVX achieves a 7.03% return, which is significantly higher than GDXJ's -13.28% return. Over the past 10 years, EVX has outperformed GDXJ with an annualized return of 11.96%, while GDXJ has yielded a comparatively lower 8.85% annualized return.

EVX

• 1D: 1.11%
• 1M: -0.84%
• 6M: 0.37%
• YTD: 7.03%
• 1Y: 7.55%
• 3Y*: 9.41%
• 5Y*: 7.57%
• 10Y*: 11.96%
• ALL TIME*: 9.30%

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%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EVX VanEck Vectors Environmental Services ETF	$224.72K	$207.86K	$298.95K
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	$470.71M	$441.62M	$622.38M

EVX vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EVX VanEck Vectors Environmental Services ETF	7.03%	11.72%	12.99%	12.97%	-10.58%	27.47%	13.28%	28.41%	-3.82%	16.05%
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	-13.28%	172.28%	15.67%	7.12%	-14.53%	-21.25%	30.40%	40.44%	-11.02%	8.22%

Correlation

The correlation between EVX and GDXJ is 0.30, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2009	0.21

The correlation between EVX and GDXJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (10 years) to 0.31 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EVX vs. GDXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EVX	GDXJ
Industrials	86.5%	-
Basic Materials	8.2%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	-
Utilities	1.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.1%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Energy	-0.0%	-

Return for Risk

EVX vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EVX

EVX Risk / Return Rank: 23
EVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
EVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
EVX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
EVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
EVX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 38
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 42
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 31

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EVX vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Environmental Services ETF (EVX) 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.

	EVX	GDXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	1.03	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	1.50	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.20	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.70	1.34	-0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.54	2.83	-1.29

EVX vs. GDXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVX Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the GDXJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EVX and GDXJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

EVX vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVX drawdown since its inception was -55.91%, smaller than the maximum GDXJ drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVX and GDXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVX	GDXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.91%	-88.66%	+32.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.85%	-41.32%	+30.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.36%	-41.32%	+23.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.45%	-48.79%	+27.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.01%	-57.77%	+16.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.31%	-36.83%	+33.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.72%	-60.25%	+51.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.91%	19.56%	-14.65%

Volatility

EVX vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Environmental Services ETF (EVX) is 3.57%, while VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a volatility of 14.46%. This indicates that EVX 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.

Volatility by Period

	EVX	GDXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	14.46%	-10.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.09%	42.31%	-32.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.97%	54.05%	-40.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.59%	42.11%	-24.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.24%	44.20%	-23.96%

EVX vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXJ's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

EVX vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison

EVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, less than GDXJ's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EVX VanEck Vectors Environmental Services ETF	0.17%	0.19%	0.46%	0.95%	0.41%	0.24%	0.32%	0.38%	0.38%	0.89%	0.70%	1.16%
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

Can I hold both EVX and GDXJ in my portfolio?

EVX and GDXJ have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EVX or GDXJ?

GDXJ has higher volatility (14.46%) compared to EVX (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVX dropped -55.91% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.

Which ETF is better, EVX or GDXJ?

On 10-year performance, EVX leads with 11.96% vs 8.85% for GDXJ. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, EVX has been the lower-risk option at 3.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EVX or GDXJ?

Over the 10-year period, EVX has performed better with a 11.96% return vs 8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EVX or GDXJ?

GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for EVX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EVX or GDXJ?

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.17% for EVX.

What is the main difference between EVX and GDXJ?

EVX is categorized as Industrials Equities, while GDXJ is Gold. EVX tracks NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index, while GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for EVX and 0.52% for GDXJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.03 vs 0.54), 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.