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FXZ vs. GDXJ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FXZ vs. GDXJ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FXZ (First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund) and GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXZ is a Materials fund tracking the StrataQuant Materials Index, while GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXZ returned 11.46%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for GDXJ. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXZ charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for GDXJ.

Performance

FXZ vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) and VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXZ achieves a 24.42% return, which is significantly higher than GDXJ's -11.62% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FXZ having a 11.46% annualized return and GDXJ not far behind at 10.91%.

FXZ

1D
-2.45%
1M
0.61%
YTD
24.42%
6M
22.36%
1Y
44.84%
3Y*
11.20%
5Y*
8.66%
10Y*
11.46%

GDXJ

1D
-5.24%
1M
-9.91%
YTD
-11.62%
6M
-16.20%
1Y
51.11%
3Y*
44.53%
5Y*
17.86%
10Y*
10.91%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FXZ vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FXZ
First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund		24.42%16.25%-16.31%16.27%-0.92%30.84%22.52%21.52%-22.62%23.72%
GDXJ
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF		-11.62%172.28%15.67%7.12%-14.53%-21.25%30.40%40.44%-11.02%8.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FXZ and GDXJ is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

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

0.57

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

0.46

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

0.47

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.30

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2009

0.34

Over the past year, FXZ and GDXJ have become more correlated (0.57) than their long-term average of 0.34, meaning their price movements have been converging.

FXZ vs. GDXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FXZ
GDXJ

Basic Materials

76.9%
99.5%

Industrials

15.4%

-

Consumer Cyclical

5.1%

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

0.1%

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Basic Materials

FXZ
76.9%
GDXJ
99.5%

Industrials

FXZ
15.4%
GDXJ

-

Consumer Cyclical

FXZ
5.1%
GDXJ

-

Communication Services

FXZ

-

GDXJ

-

Consumer Defensive

FXZ

-

GDXJ

-

Energy

FXZ

-

GDXJ

-

Financial Services

FXZ

-

GDXJ
0.1%

Healthcare

FXZ

-

GDXJ

-

Real Estate

FXZ

-

GDXJ

-

Technology

FXZ

-

GDXJ

-

Utilities

FXZ

-

GDXJ

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF

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Return for Risk

FXZ vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FXZ
FXZ Risk / Return Rank: 6666
Overall Rank
FXZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FXZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 6161
Sortino Ratio Rank
FXZ Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
FXZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
FXZ Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
GDXJ
GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 2828
Overall Rank
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2727
Sortino Ratio Rank
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 2727
Calmar Ratio Rank
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
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.

FXZ vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) 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.

FXZGDXJDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.98
0.98

+1.00

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.68
1.45

+1.23

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.20

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.53

1.30

+2.23

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.08

3.40

+9.68

FXZ vs. GDXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the GDXJ Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXZ 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.

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Drawdowns

FXZ vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXZ drawdown since its inception was -65.46%, smaller than the maximum GDXJ drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXZ and GDXJ.

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Drawdown Indicators

FXZGDXJDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.46%

-88.66%

+23.20%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.75%

-39.47%

+26.72%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-33.99%

-39.47%

+5.48%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-33.99%

-48.79%

+14.80%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-49.41%

-57.77%

+8.36%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.23%

-35.62%

+30.39%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.33%

-60.40%

+49.07%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.44%

15.08%

-11.64%

Volatility

FXZ vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) is 7.83%, while VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a volatility of 20.19%. This indicates that FXZ 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

FXZGDXJDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.83%

20.19%

-12.36%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.24%

44.45%

-27.21%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.77%

52.42%

-29.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

24.19%

41.71%

-17.52%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

24.93%

44.30%

-19.37%

FXZ vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXZ has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXJ's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXZ vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison

FXZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, less than GDXJ's 2.63% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FXZ
First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund		1.44%1.74%1.81%1.97%1.56%1.11%1.51%1.58%1.38%1.01%1.19%1.26%
GDXJ
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF		2.63%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

FXZ and GDXJ have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

GDXJ has higher volatility (20.19%) compared to FXZ (7.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXZ dropped -65.46% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.

On 10-year performance, FXZ leads with 11.46% vs 10.91% for GDXJ. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, FXZ has been the lower-risk option at 7.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FXZ has performed better with a 11.46% return vs 10.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for FXZ.

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.63%, compared with 1.44% for FXZ.

FXZ is categorized as Materials, while GDXJ is Gold. FXZ tracks StrataQuant Materials Index, while GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for FXZ and 0.52% for GDXJ.

FXZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.98), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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