GDX vs. XLI
GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) and XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while XLI is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Industrial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GDX returned 10.49%/yr vs 13.76%/yr for XLI. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLI.
Performance
GDX vs. XLI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GDX achieves a -17.52% return, which is significantly lower than XLI's 15.43% return. Over the past 10 years, GDX has underperformed XLI with an annualized return of 10.49%, while XLI has yielded a comparatively higher 13.76% annualized return.
GDX
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- -14.26%
- 6M
- -27.25%
- YTD
- -17.52%
- 1Y
- 39.36%
- 3Y*
- 32.51%
- 5Y*
- 17.66%
- 10Y*
- 10.49%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.33%
XLI
- 1D
- -0.72%
- 1M
- -1.30%
- 6M
- 7.29%
- YTD
- 15.43%
- 1Y
- 19.12%
- 3Y*
- 19.29%
- 5Y*
- 13.15%
- 10Y*
- 13.76%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.61%
GDX vs. XLI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -17.52% | 154.77% | 10.63% | 9.98% | -9.01% | -9.52% | 23.66% | 39.84% | -8.77% | 11.99% |
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund | 15.43% | 19.35% | 17.31% | 18.13% | -5.57% | 21.08% | 10.91% | 29.08% | -13.25% | 23.98% |
Correlation
The correlation between GDX and XLI is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2006 | 0.22 |
The correlation between GDX and XLI shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (10 years) to 0.37 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GDX vs. XLI — Risk / Return Rank
GDX
XLI
GDX vs. XLI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). 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 | XLI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.20 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.02 | 1.57 | -0.56 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.36 | 6.09 | -3.73 |
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Drawdowns
GDX vs. XLI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDX drawdown since its inception was -80.34%, which is greater than XLI's maximum drawdown of -62.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDX and XLI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDX | XLI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.34% | -62.26% | -18.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -38.93% | -12.21% | -26.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -38.93% | -18.49% | -20.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.51% | -21.64% | -24.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.79% | -42.33% | -7.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -38.93% | -4.01% | -34.92% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.38% | -9.17% | -31.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.71% | 3.15% | +13.56% |
Volatility
GDX vs. XLI - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a higher volatility of 11.17% compared to Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) at 5.03%. This indicates that GDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GDX | XLI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.17% | 5.03% | +6.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 39.98% | 13.80% | +26.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 48.23% | 16.68% | +31.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 37.08% | 17.53% | +19.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 37.32% | 20.01% | +17.31% |
GDX vs. XLI - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than XLI's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
GDX vs. XLI - Dividend Comparison
GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than XLI's 1.16% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | 0.89% | 0.74% | 1.19% | 1.61% | 1.66% | 1.67% | 0.53% | 0.67% | 0.50% | 0.76% | 0.26% | 0.85% |
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund | 1.16% | 1.29% | 1.44% | 1.63% | 1.63% | 1.25% | 1.55% | 1.94% | 2.15% | 1.77% | 2.07% | 2.15% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GDX and XLI have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDX has higher volatility (11.17%) compared to XLI (5.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDX dropped -80.34% vs XLI's -62.26%.
On 10-year performance, XLI leads with 13.76% vs 10.49% for GDX. On fees, XLI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLI has been the lower-risk option at 5.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XLI has performed better with a 13.76% return vs 10.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLI is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for GDX.
XLI has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.89% for GDX.
GDX is categorized as Gold, while XLI is Industrials Equities. GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.51% for GDX and 0.08% for XLI.
XLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 0.82), 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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