GDXJ vs. GBUG
GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) and GBUG (Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF) are both Gold funds. GDXJ is passively managed, while GBUG is actively managed. Over the past year, GDXJ returned 45.51% vs 46.03% for GBUG. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GDXJ charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for GBUG.
Performance
GDXJ vs. GBUG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GDXJ having a -11.59% return and GBUG slightly higher at -11.03%.
GDXJ
- 1D
- -10.11%
- 1M
- -18.05%
- YTD
- -11.59%
- 6M
- -3.54%
- 1Y
- 45.51%
- 3Y*
- 40.69%
- 5Y*
- 15.20%
- 10Y*
- 11.93%
GBUG
- 1D
- -9.73%
- 1M
- -15.35%
- YTD
- -11.03%
- 6M
- -2.89%
- 1Y
- 46.03%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GDXJ vs. GBUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | -11.59% | 121.76% |
GBUG Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | -11.03% | 119.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between GDXJ and GBUG is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2025 | 0.97 |
The correlation between GDXJ and GBUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GDXJ vs. GBUG — Risk / Return Rank
GDXJ
GBUG
GDXJ vs. GBUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG). 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.
| GDXJ | GBUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.19 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.28 | 1.39 | -0.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.38 | 3.65 | -0.26 |
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
| GDXJ | GBUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.90 | 0.95 | -0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.04 | 1.42 | -1.37 |
Drawdowns
GDXJ vs. GBUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than GBUG's maximum drawdown of -33.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and GBUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDXJ | GBUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -88.66% | -33.18% | -55.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -35.60% | -33.18% | -2.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -35.60% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.99% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -57.77% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -35.60% | -33.18% | -2.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -60.49% | -7.75% | -52.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.49% | 12.70% | +0.79% |
Volatility
GDXJ vs. GBUG - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 17.56% compared to Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG) at 16.65%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GBUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GDXJ | GBUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.56% | 16.65% | +0.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 42.70% | 40.73% | +1.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 50.84% | 48.66% | +2.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 41.33% | 48.05% | -6.72% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 44.16% | 48.05% | -3.89% |
GDXJ vs. GBUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDXJ has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than GBUG's 0.89% expense ratio.
Dividends
GDXJ vs. GBUG - Dividend Comparison
GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, more than GBUG's 1.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBUG Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 1.75% | 1.56% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | 2.63% | 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
With a correlation of 0.97, GDXJ and GBUG 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.
GDXJ has higher volatility (17.56%) compared to GBUG (16.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs GBUG's -33.18%.
On 1-year performance, GBUG leads with 46.03% vs 45.51% for GDXJ. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, GBUG has been the lower-risk option at 16.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, GBUG has performed better with a 46.03% return vs 45.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for GBUG.
GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.63%, compared with 1.75% for GBUG.
They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for GDXJ and 0.89% for GBUG.
GBUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.95 vs 0.90), 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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