GDX vs. XGD.TO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) and XGD.TO (iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while XGD.TO is a Precious Metals fund tracking the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GDX returned 13.29%/yr vs 13.23%/yr for XGD.TO. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GDX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for XGD.TO.

Performance

GDX vs. XGD.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

GDX is traded in USD, while XGD.TO is traded in CAD. To make them comparable, the XGD.TO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDX achieves a -6.69% return, which is significantly lower than XGD.TO's -4.25% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GDX having a 13.29% annualized return and XGD.TO not far behind at 13.23%.

GDX

• 1D: 2.97%
• 1M: -16.83%
• YTD: -6.69%
• 6M: -5.89%
• 1Y: 50.59%
• 3Y*: 38.96%
• 5Y*: 17.51%
• 10Y*: 13.29%

XGD.TO

• 1D: 2.69%
• 1M: -16.52%
• YTD: -4.25%
• 6M: -3.04%
• 1Y: 55.75%
• 3Y*: 39.72%
• 5Y*: 17.61%
• 10Y*: 13.23%

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

GDX vs. XGD.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-6.69%	154.77%	10.63%	9.98%	-9.01%	-9.52%	23.66%	39.84%	-8.77%	11.99%
XGD.TO iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF	-4.25%	156.14%	10.29%	6.44%	-8.90%	-5.76%	24.05%	46.20%	-11.54%	8.29%

Correlation

The correlation between GDX and XGD.TO is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 12, 2006	0.91

The correlation between GDX and XGD.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

GDX vs. XGD.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDX	XGD.TO
Basic Materials	100.0%	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GDX vs. XGD.TO — 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

XGD.TO

XGD.TO Risk / Return Rank: 40
XGD.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
XGD.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
XGD.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 43
XGD.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
XGD.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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. XGD.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD.TO). 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	XGD.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	1.26	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	1.67	-0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.24	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	1.63	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.87	4.60	-0.73

GDX vs. XGD.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the XGD.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDX and XGD.TO, 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. XGD.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDX drawdown since its inception was -80.34%, roughly equal to the maximum XGD.TO drawdown of -80.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDX and XGD.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDX	XGD.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.34%	-80.30%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.28%	-34.40%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.28%	-34.40%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.51%	-44.90%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.79%	-47.12%	-2.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.91%	-29.21%	-1.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.41%	-40.83%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.11%	12.14%	+0.97%

Volatility

GDX vs. XGD.TO - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a higher volatility of 17.20% compared to iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD.TO) at 16.16%. This indicates that GDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XGD.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDX	XGD.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.20%	16.16%	+1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.15%	36.18%	+2.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.89%	44.61%	+2.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.74%	33.65%	+3.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.34%	34.19%	+3.15%

GDX vs. XGD.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than XGD.TO's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDX vs. XGD.TO - Dividend Comparison

GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, more than XGD.TO's 0.64% 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%
XGD.TO iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF	0.64%	0.62%	0.93%	1.49%	1.77%	1.38%	0.35%	0.54%	0.25%	0.14%	0.10%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDX and XGD.TO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GDX and XGD.TO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, GDX or XGD.TO?

On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDX or XGD.TO?

GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for XGD.TO.

What is the main difference between GDX and XGD.TO?

GDX is categorized as Gold, while XGD.TO is Precious Metals. GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while XGD.TO tracks S&P/TSX Global Gold Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.51% for GDX and 0.61% for XGD.TO.