GDXJ vs. PICK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDXJ (VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF) and PICK (iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF) are both Materials funds - GDXJ tracks the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index while PICK tracks the MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers Ex Gold & Silver Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ returned 13.07%/yr vs 17.67%/yr for PICK. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDXJ charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for PICK.

Performance

GDXJ vs. PICK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXJ achieves a -2.55% return, which is significantly lower than PICK's 30.58% return. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ has underperformed PICK with an annualized return of 13.07%, while PICK has yielded a comparatively higher 17.67% annualized return.

GDXJ

• 1D: -4.40%
• 1M: -1.95%
• YTD: -2.55%
• 6M: 6.26%
• 1Y: 65.12%
• 3Y*: 46.12%
• 5Y*: 17.46%
• 10Y*: 13.07%

PICK

• 1D: -2.74%
• 1M: 11.27%
• YTD: 30.58%
• 6M: 38.84%
• 1Y: 88.13%
• 3Y*: 22.92%
• 5Y*: 11.78%
• 10Y*: 17.67%

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

GDXJ vs. PICK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GDXJ VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF	-2.55%	172.28%	15.67%	7.12%	-14.53%	-21.25%	30.40%	40.44%	-11.02%	8.22%
PICK iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF	30.58%	51.89%	-16.37%	9.69%	2.54%	22.61%	27.46%	16.47%	-18.65%	38.42%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXJ and PICK is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2012	0.40

Over the past year, GDXJ and PICK have become more correlated (0.62) than their long-term average of 0.40, meaning their price movements have been converging.

GDXJ vs. PICK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDXJ	PICK
Basic Materials	100.0%	96.6%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	0.1%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.1%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	1.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GDXJ vs. PICK — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 35
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 35
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 32

PICK

PICK Risk / Return Rank: 84
PICK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PICK Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
PICK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PICK Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PICK Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. PICK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK). 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	PICK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	3.16	-1.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	3.63	-1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.51	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.99	4.53	-2.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.95	18.20	-13.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDXJ vs. PICK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the PICK Sharpe Ratio of 3.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXJ and PICK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GDXJ	PICK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	3.16	-1.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.43	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.62	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	0.21	-0.15

Drawdowns

GDXJ vs. PICK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than PICK's maximum drawdown of -68.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and PICK.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDXJ	PICK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.66%	-68.87%	-19.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.92%	-19.54%	-13.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.92%	-32.52%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.99%	-36.37%	-14.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.77%	-52.72%	-5.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.01%	-2.74%	-26.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-60.50%	-24.12%	-36.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.19%	4.86%	+8.33%

Volatility

GDXJ vs. PICK - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 16.66% compared to iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) at 10.99%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PICK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDXJ	PICK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.66%	10.99%	+5.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.34%	24.11%	+17.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.79%	28.10%	+21.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.10%	27.78%	+13.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.06%	28.37%	+15.69%

GDXJ vs. PICK - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDXJ has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is higher than PICK's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDXJ vs. PICK - Dividend Comparison

GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, more than PICK's 2.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDXJ VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF	2.39%	2.33%	2.61%	0.72%	0.51%	1.78%	1.58%	0.39%	0.45%	0.03%	4.78%	0.72%
PICK iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF	2.20%	2.88%	3.26%	4.19%	6.93%	5.89%	2.27%	5.51%	4.77%	2.41%	1.15%	15.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDXJ and PICK in my portfolio?

GDXJ and PICK have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDXJ or PICK?

GDXJ has higher volatility (16.66%) compared to PICK (10.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs PICK's -68.87%.

Which ETF is better, GDXJ or PICK?

On 10-year performance, PICK leads with 17.67% vs 13.07% for GDXJ. On fees, PICK is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, PICK has been the lower-risk option at 10.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDXJ or PICK?

Over the 10-year period, PICK has performed better with a 17.67% return vs 13.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDXJ or PICK?

PICK is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.54% for GDXJ.

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

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.39%, compared with 2.20% for PICK.

What is the main difference between GDXJ and PICK?

GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while PICK tracks MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers Ex Gold & Silver Investable Market Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for GDXJ and 0.39% for PICK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PICK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 1.31), 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.