GDX vs. SGOL
GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) and SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while SGOL is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GDX returned 13.98%/yr vs 13.32%/yr for SGOL. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GDX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SGOL.
Performance
GDX vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GDX achieves a -0.90% return, which is significantly lower than SGOL's 2.97% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GDX having a 13.98% annualized return and SGOL not far behind at 13.32%.
GDX
- 1D
- -3.46%
- 1M
- -0.76%
- YTD
- -0.90%
- 6M
- 5.62%
- 1Y
- 61.27%
- 3Y*
- 41.00%
- 5Y*
- 18.69%
- 10Y*
- 13.98%
SGOL
- 1D
- -0.98%
- 1M
- -1.67%
- YTD
- 2.97%
- 6M
- 5.51%
- 1Y
- 32.27%
- 3Y*
- 31.36%
- 5Y*
- 18.40%
- 10Y*
- 13.32%
GDX vs. SGOL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -0.90% | 154.77% | 10.63% | 9.98% | -9.01% | -9.52% | 23.66% | 39.84% | -8.77% | 11.99% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 2.97% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between GDX and SGOL is 0.79, 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 | 0.79 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.77 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2009 | 0.77 |
The correlation between GDX and SGOL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GDX vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank
GDX
SGOL
GDX vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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.
| GDX | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.12 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.25 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.00 | 1.69 | +0.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.13 | 4.20 | +0.93 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GDX | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.35 | 1.23 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 | 1.03 | -0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 | 0.84 | -0.46 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.13 | 0.55 | -0.42 |
Drawdowns
GDX vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDX drawdown since its inception was -80.34%, which is greater than SGOL's maximum drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDX and SGOL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDX | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.34% | -45.51% | -34.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -30.84% | -19.14% | -11.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -30.84% | -19.14% | -11.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.51% | -20.92% | -25.59% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.79% | -21.56% | -28.23% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.62% | -17.72% | -8.90% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.43% | -18.41% | -22.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 11.99% | 7.71% | +4.28% |
Volatility
GDX vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a higher volatility of 15.40% compared to abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) at 5.46%. This indicates that GDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SGOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GDX | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 15.40% | 5.46% | +9.94% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 37.50% | 22.93% | +14.57% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 45.49% | 26.33% | +19.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.39% | 17.89% | +18.50% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 37.18% | 15.91% | +21.27% |
GDX vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOL's 0.17% expense ratio.
Dividends
GDX vs. SGOL - Dividend Comparison
GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | 0.74% | 0.74% | 1.19% | 1.61% | 1.66% | 1.67% | 0.53% | 0.67% | 0.50% | 0.76% | 0.26% | 0.85% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GDX and SGOL have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDX has higher volatility (15.40%) compared to SGOL (5.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDX dropped -80.34% vs SGOL's -45.51%.
On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 13.98% vs 13.32% for SGOL. On fees, SGOL is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, SGOL has been the lower-risk option at 5.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 13.98% return vs 13.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SGOL is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for GDX.
GDX has the higher dividend yield at 0.74%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.
GDX is categorized as Gold, while SGOL is Precious Metals. GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.51% for GDX and 0.17% for SGOL.
GDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 1.23), 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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