GDX vs. ASTS
GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) is Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while ASTS (AST SpaceMobile, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, GDX returned 17.51%/yr vs 51.99%/yr for ASTS. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
GDX vs. ASTS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GDX achieves a -6.69% return, which is significantly lower than ASTS's 13.47% return.
GDX
- 1D
- 2.97%
- 1M
- -14.82%
- YTD
- -6.69%
- 6M
- -5.89%
- 1Y
- 48.02%
- 3Y*
- 38.96%
- 5Y*
- 17.51%
- 10Y*
- 13.29%
ASTS
- 1D
- -15.53%
- 1M
- -0.72%
- YTD
- 13.47%
- 6M
- 7.44%
- 1Y
- 114.78%
- 3Y*
- 140.29%
- 5Y*
- 51.99%
- 10Y*
- —
GDX vs. ASTS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -6.69% | 154.77% | 10.63% | 9.98% | -9.01% | -4.93% |
ASTS AST SpaceMobile, Inc. | 13.47% | 244.22% | 249.92% | 25.10% | -39.29% | -31.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between GDX and ASTS 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 | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2021 | 0.12 |
The correlation between GDX and ASTS shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GDX vs. ASTS — Risk / Return Rank
GDX
ASTS
GDX vs. ASTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS). 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.
| GDX | ASTS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.23 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.40 | 2.60 | -1.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.87 | 5.06 | -1.19 |
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Drawdowns
GDX vs. ASTS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDX drawdown since its inception was -80.34%, smaller than the maximum ASTS drawdown of -85.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDX and ASTS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDX | ASTS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.34% | -85.57% | +5.23% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -36.28% | -47.69% | +11.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -36.28% | -70.66% | +34.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.51% | -85.57% | +39.06% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.79% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -30.91% | -38.08% | +7.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.41% | -40.51% | +0.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.11% | 24.42% | -11.31% |
Volatility
GDX vs. ASTS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) is 17.20%, while AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) has a volatility of 41.20%. This indicates that GDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ASTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GDX | ASTS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.20% | 41.20% | -24.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 39.15% | 85.03% | -45.88% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 46.89% | 105.98% | -59.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.74% | 109.52% | -72.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 37.34% | 111.00% | -73.66% |
Dividends
GDX vs. ASTS - Dividend Comparison
GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, while ASTS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASTS AST SpaceMobile, Inc. | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | 0.79% | 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
GDX and ASTS 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.
ASTS has higher volatility (41.20%) compared to GDX (17.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDX dropped -80.34% vs ASTS's -85.57%.
ASTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 1.09), 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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