GDXJ vs. IAUI

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) and IAUI (NEOS Gold High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while IAUI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Neos. GDXJ is passively managed, while IAUI is actively managed. Over the past year, GDXJ returned 45.51% vs 19.26% for IAUI. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GDXJ charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for IAUI.

Performance

GDXJ vs. IAUI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXJ achieves a -11.59% return, which is significantly lower than IAUI's -1.07% return.

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%

IAUI

• 1D: -3.26%
• 1M: -6.70%
• YTD: -1.07%
• 6M: 1.17%
• 1Y: 19.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDXJ vs. IAUI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	-11.59%	64.60%
IAUI NEOS Gold High Income ETF	-1.07%	20.56%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXJ and IAUI is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2025	0.78

Return for Risk

GDXJ vs. IAUI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 26
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 28
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

GDXJ vs. IAUI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI). 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	IAUI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.38	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GDXJ	IAUI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	—	—
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	0.95	-0.90

Drawdowns

GDXJ vs. IAUI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than IAUI's maximum drawdown of -16.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and IAUI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDXJ	IAUI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.66%	-16.88%	-71.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.60%	-16.88%	-18.72%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.60%	-16.10%	-19.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-60.49%	-3.54%	-56.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.49%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GDXJ	IAUI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.56%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.70%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.84%	20.51%	+30.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.33%	20.51%	+20.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.16%	20.51%	+23.65%

GDXJ vs. IAUI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDXJ has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than IAUI's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDXJ vs. IAUI - Dividend Comparison

GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, less than IAUI's 13.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
IAUI NEOS Gold High Income ETF	13.00%	6.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDXJ and IAUI in my portfolio?

GDXJ and IAUI have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GDXJ or IAUI?

On 1-year performance, GDXJ leads with 45.51% vs 19.26% for IAUI. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDXJ or IAUI?

Over the 1-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 45.51% return vs 19.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDXJ or IAUI?

GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for IAUI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GDXJ or IAUI?

IAUI has the higher dividend yield at 13.00%, compared with 2.63% for GDXJ.

What is the main difference between GDXJ and IAUI?

GDXJ is categorized as Gold, while IAUI is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for GDXJ and 0.78% for IAUI.