GDXJ vs. BNDX
GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) and BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ returned 12.00%/yr vs 1.72%/yr for BNDX. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDXJ charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for BNDX.
Performance
GDXJ vs. BNDX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GDXJ achieves a -8.37% return, which is significantly lower than BNDX's 1.02% return. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ has outperformed BNDX with an annualized return of 12.00%, while BNDX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.72% annualized return.
GDXJ
- 1D
- 3.15%
- 1M
- -10.41%
- YTD
- -8.37%
- 6M
- -6.68%
- 1Y
- 49.74%
- 3Y*
- 44.17%
- 5Y*
- 16.23%
- 10Y*
- 12.00%
BNDX
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- 1.69%
- YTD
- 1.02%
- 6M
- 1.22%
- 1Y
- 2.27%
- 3Y*
- 4.32%
- 5Y*
- 0.32%
- 10Y*
- 1.72%
GDXJ vs. BNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | -8.37% | 172.28% | 15.67% | 7.12% | -14.53% | -21.25% | 30.40% | 40.44% | -11.02% | 8.22% |
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 1.02% | 2.86% | 3.57% | 8.77% | -12.76% | -2.29% | 4.65% | 7.87% | 2.81% | 2.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between GDXJ and BNDX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2013 | 0.18 |
The correlation between GDXJ and BNDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GDXJ vs. BNDX — Risk / Return Rank
GDXJ
BNDX
GDXJ vs. BNDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX). 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.
| GDXJ | BNDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.44 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.64 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.10 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.30 | 0.66 | +0.64 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.55 | 1.84 | +1.71 |
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Drawdowns
GDXJ vs. BNDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than BNDX's maximum drawdown of -16.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and BNDX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDXJ | BNDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -88.66% | -16.23% | -72.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -39.47% | -2.93% | -36.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -39.47% | -2.93% | -36.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.79% | -15.86% | -32.93% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -57.77% | -16.23% | -41.54% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -33.25% | -1.02% | -32.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -60.45% | -3.10% | -57.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.41% | 1.05% | +13.36% |
Volatility
GDXJ vs. BNDX - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 19.46% compared to Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) at 1.49%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BNDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GDXJ | BNDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 19.46% | 1.49% | +17.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 43.41% | 2.96% | +40.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 51.54% | 3.47% | +48.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 41.50% | 4.89% | +36.61% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 44.23% | 4.10% | +40.13% |
GDXJ vs. BNDX - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDXJ has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDX's 0.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
GDXJ vs. BNDX - Dividend Comparison
GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, less than BNDX's 4.47% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 4.47% | 4.39% | 4.18% | 4.42% | 1.51% | 3.74% | 1.11% | 3.40% | 3.01% | 2.23% | 1.89% | 1.63% |
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | 2.54% | 2.33% | 2.61% | 0.72% | 0.51% | 1.78% | 1.58% | 0.39% | 0.45% | 0.03% | 4.78% | 0.72% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GDXJ and BNDX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDXJ has higher volatility (19.46%) compared to BNDX (1.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs BNDX's -16.23%.
On 10-year performance, GDXJ leads with 12.00% vs 1.72% for BNDX. On fees, BNDX is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, BNDX has been the lower-risk option at 1.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 12.00% return vs 1.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BNDX is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for GDXJ.
BNDX has the higher dividend yield at 4.47%, compared with 2.54% for GDXJ.
GDXJ is categorized as Gold, while BNDX is Global Bonds. GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while BNDX tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for GDXJ and 0.07% for BNDX.
GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.56), 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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