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GDXJ vs. IEMG
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GDXJ vs. IEMG

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ returned 12.00%/yr vs 10.42%/yr for IEMG. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDXJ charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

GDXJ vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXJ achieves a -8.37% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 22.84% return. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ has outperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 12.00%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively lower 10.42% 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%

IEMG

1D
0.61%
1M
3.87%
YTD
22.84%
6M
25.59%
1Y
44.83%
3Y*
21.33%
5Y*
7.15%
10Y*
10.42%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GDXJ vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
IEMG
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		22.84%32.56%6.50%11.52%-19.98%-0.64%17.87%17.81%-14.92%37.38%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXJ and IEMG is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.49

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.49

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.48

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.36

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012

0.32

The correlation between GDXJ and IEMG shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (all time) to 0.49 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GDXJ vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
GDXJ
IEMG

Basic Materials

100.0%
6.3%

Communication Services

-

5.6%

Consumer Cyclical

-

8.5%

Consumer Defensive

-

2.8%

Energy

-

3.3%

Financial Services

-

16.7%

Healthcare

-

3.2%

Industrials

-

8.0%

Real Estate

-

1.6%

Technology

-

42.1%

Utilities

-

1.9%

Basic Materials

GDXJ
100.0%
IEMG
6.3%

Communication Services

GDXJ

-

IEMG
5.6%

Consumer Cyclical

GDXJ

-

IEMG
8.5%

Consumer Defensive

GDXJ

-

IEMG
2.8%

Energy

GDXJ

-

IEMG
3.3%

Financial Services

GDXJ

-

IEMG
16.7%

Healthcare

GDXJ

-

IEMG
3.2%

Industrials

GDXJ

-

IEMG
8.0%

Real Estate

GDXJ

-

IEMG
1.6%

Technology

GDXJ

-

IEMG
42.1%

Utilities

GDXJ

-

IEMG
1.9%

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VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with GDXJ:
GDXJ vs. GDXGDXJ vs. GLDGDXJ vs. SILJGDXJ vs. GOLDGDXJ vs. SPYGDXJ vs. GLDMGDXJ vs. IAU
Often compared with IEMG:
IEMG vs. VWOIEMG vs. EEMIEMG vs. IEFAIEMG vs. EMXCIEMG vs. SCHEIEMG vs. IXUSIEMG vs. SPY

Return for Risk

GDXJ vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
GDXJ
GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 3131
Overall Rank
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3131
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 3030
Sortino Ratio Rank
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 3030
Calmar Ratio Rank
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 2828
Martin Ratio Rank
IEMG
IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7373
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 7676
Omega Ratio Rank
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG). 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.

GDXJIEMGDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.00
2.03

-1.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.45
2.65

-1.20

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.20

1.39

-0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.30

3.23

-1.93

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.55

11.89

-8.33

GDXJ vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is lower than the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXJ and IEMG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

GDXJ vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than IEMG's maximum drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and IEMG.

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Drawdown Indicators

GDXJIEMGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-88.66%

-38.71%

-49.95%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-39.47%

-13.21%

-26.26%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-39.47%

-17.21%

-22.26%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.79%

-35.75%

-13.04%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-57.77%

-38.71%

-19.06%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-33.25%

-3.98%

-29.27%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-60.45%

-12.95%

-47.50%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

14.41%

3.59%

+10.82%

Volatility

GDXJ vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 19.46% compared to iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) at 10.60%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IEMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

GDXJIEMGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

19.46%

10.60%

+8.86%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

43.41%

18.89%

+24.52%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

51.54%

21.08%

+30.46%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

41.50%

18.73%

+22.77%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

44.23%

20.17%

+24.06%

GDXJ vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDXJ has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDXJ vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, more than IEMG's 2.24% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
IEMG
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		2.24%2.75%3.20%2.89%2.71%3.06%1.87%3.15%2.76%2.35%2.28%2.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

GDXJ and IEMG have a correlation of 0.49, 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 IEMG (10.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

On 10-year performance, GDXJ leads with 12.00% vs 10.42% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IEMG has been the lower-risk option at 10.60%. 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 10.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for GDXJ.

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 2.24% for IEMG.

GDXJ is categorized as Gold, while IEMG is Emerging Markets Diversified. GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for GDXJ and 0.09% for IEMG.

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.00), 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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