GDL vs. GDX
GDL (The GDL Fund) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both funds - GDL is a Event Driven fund managed by Gabelli, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Over the past 10 years, GDL returned 3.99%/yr vs 12.36%/yr for GDX. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDL charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.
Performance
GDL vs. GDX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GDL achieves a 2.66% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's -9.46% return. Over the past 10 years, GDL has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of 3.99%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.36% annualized return.
GDL
- 1D
- 0.48%
- 1M
- 1.32%
- YTD
- 2.66%
- 6M
- 2.90%
- 1Y
- 7.37%
- 3Y*
- 9.07%
- 5Y*
- 4.57%
- 10Y*
- 3.99%
GDX
- 1D
- -4.64%
- 1M
- -8.66%
- YTD
- -9.46%
- 6M
- -13.97%
- 1Y
- 47.29%
- 3Y*
- 39.25%
- 5Y*
- 19.30%
- 10Y*
- 12.36%
GDL vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDL The GDL Fund | 2.66% | 11.83% | 5.94% | 9.02% | -6.88% | 8.04% | -0.99% | 5.87% | -1.60% | 4.74% |
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -9.46% | 154.77% | 10.63% | 9.98% | -9.01% | -9.52% | 23.66% | 39.84% | -8.77% | 11.99% |
Correlation
The correlation between GDL and GDX is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2007 | 0.15 |
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Return for Risk
GDL vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank
GDL
GDX
GDL vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The GDL Fund (GDL) 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.
| GDL | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.20 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.31 | 1.31 | +1.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.21 | 3.44 | +3.76 |
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Drawdowns
GDL vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDL drawdown since its inception was -38.74%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDL and GDX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDL | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.74% | -80.34% | +41.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.21% | -36.28% | +33.07% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.00% | -36.28% | +30.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.48% | -46.51% | +37.03% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.74% | -49.79% | +11.05% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -32.96% | +32.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.91% | -40.40% | +35.49% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.02% | 13.78% | -12.76% |
Volatility
GDL vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for The GDL Fund (GDL) is 1.42%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 17.61%. This indicates that GDL 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
| GDL | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.42% | 17.61% | -16.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.98% | 40.05% | -35.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.16% | 47.64% | -40.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.63% | 36.89% | -28.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.97% | 37.37% | -24.40% |
GDL vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDL has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.
Dividends
GDL vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison
GDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.68%, more than GDX's 0.82% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDL The GDL Fund | 5.68% | 5.67% | 5.99% | 5.97% | 6.12% | 5.38% | 5.28% | 4.30% | 4.36% | 5.96% | 6.50% | 6.39% |
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | 0.82% | 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
GDL and GDX have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDX has higher volatility (17.61%) compared to GDL (1.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDL dropped -38.74% vs GDX's -80.34%.
GDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.04 vs 1.00), 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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