GDX vs. RAAX
GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) and RAAX (VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while RAAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by VanEck. GDX is passively managed, while RAAX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GDX returned 17.51%/yr vs 13.17%/yr for RAAX. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GDX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for RAAX.
Performance
GDX vs. RAAX - 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 RAAX's 17.64% 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%
RAAX
- 1D
- 2.26%
- 1M
- -3.39%
- YTD
- 17.64%
- 6M
- 17.56%
- 1Y
- 32.08%
- 3Y*
- 21.35%
- 5Y*
- 13.17%
- 10Y*
- —
GDX vs. RAAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -6.69% | 154.77% | 10.63% | 9.98% | -9.01% | -9.52% | 23.66% | 39.84% | -3.54% |
RAAX VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF | 17.64% | 26.74% | 12.50% | 6.71% | 1.51% | 21.56% | -8.27% | 6.14% | -2.41% |
Correlation
The correlation between GDX and RAAX is 0.64, 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 | 0.64 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2018 | 0.56 |
The correlation between GDX and RAAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GDX vs. RAAX — Risk / Return Rank
GDX
RAAX
GDX vs. RAAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF (RAAX). 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 | RAAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.59 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.43 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.40 | 4.68 | -3.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.87 | 16.90 | -13.03 |
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Drawdowns
GDX vs. RAAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDX drawdown since its inception was -80.34%, which is greater than RAAX's maximum drawdown of -33.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDX and RAAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDX | RAAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.34% | -33.91% | -46.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -36.28% | -7.17% | -29.11% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -36.28% | -11.59% | -24.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.51% | -23.55% | -22.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.79% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -30.91% | -3.77% | -27.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.41% | -6.77% | -33.64% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.11% | 1.98% | +11.13% |
Volatility
GDX vs. RAAX - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a higher volatility of 17.20% compared to VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF (RAAX) at 4.67%. This indicates that GDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RAAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GDX | RAAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.20% | 4.67% | +12.53% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 39.15% | 12.21% | +26.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 46.89% | 14.18% | +32.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.74% | 15.70% | +21.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 37.34% | 15.79% | +21.55% |
GDX vs. RAAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than RAAX's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
GDX vs. RAAX - Dividend Comparison
GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, less than RAAX's 1.99% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
RAAX VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF | 1.99% | 2.34% | 1.91% | 3.66% | 1.53% | 8.72% | 6.27% | 2.37% | 0.56% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GDX and RAAX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDX has higher volatility (17.20%) compared to RAAX (4.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDX dropped -80.34% vs RAAX's -33.91%.
On 5-year performance, GDX leads with 17.51% vs 13.17% for RAAX. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, RAAX has been the lower-risk option at 4.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GDX has performed better with a 17.51% return vs 13.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for RAAX.
RAAX has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 0.79% for GDX.
GDX is categorized as Gold, while RAAX is Diversified Portfolio. Their fees differ too: 0.51% for GDX and 0.78% for RAAX.
RAAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 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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