GDX vs. XAUUSD=X

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) is Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while XAUUSD=X (Gold Spot Price US Dollar) is a currency. Over the past 10 years, GDX returned 13.23%/yr vs 13.28%/yr for XAUUSD=X. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

GDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and Gold Spot Price US Dollar (XAUUSD=X). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDX achieves a -8.08% return, which is significantly lower than XAUUSD=X's 0.12% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GDX having a 13.23% annualized return and XAUUSD=X not far ahead at 13.28%.

GDX

• 1D: -8.75%
• 1M: -14.71%
• YTD: -8.08%
• 6M: -2.00%
• 1Y: 49.41%
• 3Y*: 37.19%
• 5Y*: 16.92%
• 10Y*: 13.23%

XAUUSD=X

• 1D: -3.29%
• 1M: -7.74%
• YTD: 0.12%
• 6M: 3.08%
• 1Y: 29.08%
• 3Y*: 30.14%
• 5Y*: 18.01%
• 10Y*: 13.28%

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

GDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-8.08%	154.77%	10.63%	9.98%	-9.01%	-9.52%	23.66%	39.84%	-8.77%	11.99%
XAUUSD=X Gold Spot Price US Dollar	0.12%	64.75%	27.24%	13.14%	-0.25%	-3.50%	24.55%	18.77%	-1.71%	13.14%

Correlation

The correlation between GDX and XAUUSD=X is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2007	0.75

The correlation between GDX and XAUUSD=X has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GDX vs. XAUUSD=X — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 30
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

XAUUSD=X

XAUUSD=X Risk / Return Rank: 78
XAUUSD=X Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
XAUUSD=X Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
XAUUSD=X Omega Ratio Rank: 82
XAUUSD=X Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
XAUUSD=X Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. XAUUSD=X - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and Gold Spot Price US Dollar (XAUUSD=X). 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	XAUUSD=X	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	1.00	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	1.37	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.21	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.55	1.14	+0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.04	2.87	+1.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is comparable to the XAUUSD=X Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDX and XAUUSD=X, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GDX	XAUUSD=X	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	1.00	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.97	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.82	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.58	-0.47

Drawdowns

GDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDX drawdown since its inception was -80.34%, which is greater than XAUUSD=X's maximum drawdown of -44.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDX and XAUUSD=X.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDX	XAUUSD=X	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.34%	-44.69%	-35.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.94%	-20.13%	-11.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.94%	-20.13%	-11.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.51%	-20.81%	-25.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.79%	-21.35%	-28.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.94%	-20.13%	-11.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.43%	-16.42%	-24.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.26%	8.77%	+3.49%

Volatility

GDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a higher volatility of 16.04% compared to Gold Spot Price US Dollar (XAUUSD=X) at 5.61%. This indicates that GDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XAUUSD=X based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDX	XAUUSD=X	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.04%	5.61%	+10.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.62%	21.67%	+16.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.37%	22.90%	+23.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.60%	16.58%	+20.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.28%	15.11%	+22.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDX and XAUUSD=X in my portfolio?

GDX and XAUUSD=X have a correlation of 0.71, 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 XAUUSD=X?

GDX has higher volatility (16.04%) compared to XAUUSD=X (5.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDX dropped -80.34% vs XAUUSD=X's -44.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 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.