GDX vs. EMDM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while EMDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GDX returned 38.96%/yr vs 30.34%/yr for EMDM. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

GDX vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDX achieves a -6.69% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 36.28% 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%

EMDM

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 36.28%
• 6M: 42.03%
• 1Y: 83.08%
• 3Y*: 30.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDX vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-6.69%	154.77%	10.63%	11.89%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	36.28%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between GDX and EMDM is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.49

The correlation between GDX and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

GDX vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDX	EMDM
Basic Materials	100.0%	15.1%
Communication Services	-	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.4%
Energy	-	6.3%
Financial Services	-	27.2%
Healthcare	-	0.5%
Industrials	-	3.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	32.1%
Utilities	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

GDX vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 33
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 92
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

GDX vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM). 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	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	3.21	-2.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	3.78	-2.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.55	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	5.18	-3.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.87	20.59	-16.72

GDX vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 3.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDX and EMDM, 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

GDX vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDX drawdown since its inception was -80.34%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDX and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDX	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.34%	-18.81%	-61.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.28%	-15.65%	-20.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.28%	-18.81%	-17.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.51%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.91%	-3.27%	-27.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.41%	-4.08%	-36.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.11%	3.93%	+9.18%

Volatility

GDX vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a higher volatility of 17.20% compared to First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) at 12.16%. This indicates that GDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDX	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.20%	12.16%	+5.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.15%	22.86%	+16.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.89%	25.23%	+21.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.74%	20.36%	+16.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.34%	20.36%	+16.98%

GDX vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDX vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, less than EMDM's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.62%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	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

Can I hold both GDX and EMDM in my portfolio?

GDX and EMDM have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDX or EMDM?

GDX has higher volatility (17.20%) compared to EMDM (12.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDX dropped -80.34% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, GDX or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, GDX leads with 38.96% vs 30.34% for EMDM. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, EMDM has been the lower-risk option at 12.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDX or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, GDX has performed better with a 38.96% return vs 30.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDX or EMDM?

GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GDX or EMDM?

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.62%, compared with 0.79% for GDX.

What is the main difference between GDX and EMDM?

GDX is categorized as Gold, while EMDM is Emerging Markets Diversified. GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.51% for GDX and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.21 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.