GDXJ vs. SLX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) and SLX (VanEck Vectors Steel ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while SLX is a Materials fund tracking the NYSE Arca Steel Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ returned 12.98%/yr vs 19.73%/yr for SLX. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDXJ charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for SLX.

Performance

GDXJ vs. SLX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXJ achieves a -1.65% return, which is significantly lower than SLX's 32.29% return. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ has underperformed SLX with an annualized return of 12.98%, while SLX has yielded a comparatively higher 19.73% annualized return.

GDXJ

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: -1.11%
• YTD: -1.65%
• 6M: 7.01%
• 1Y: 65.36%
• 3Y*: 46.18%
• 5Y*: 17.68%
• 10Y*: 12.98%

SLX

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: 9.68%
• YTD: 32.29%
• 6M: 36.55%
• 1Y: 77.34%
• 3Y*: 26.67%
• 5Y*: 16.14%
• 10Y*: 19.73%

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

GDXJ vs. SLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	-1.65%	172.28%	15.67%	7.12%	-14.53%	-21.25%	30.40%	40.44%	-11.02%	8.22%
SLX VanEck Vectors Steel ETF	32.29%	47.45%	-17.94%	31.25%	14.28%	27.69%	20.57%	12.01%	-19.27%	24.59%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXJ and SLX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2009	0.37

The correlation between GDXJ and SLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (10 years) to 0.45 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GDXJ vs. SLX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDXJ	SLX
Basic Materials	100.0%	95.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	3.5%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	1.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GDXJ vs. SLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 37
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 38
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 33

SLX

SLX Risk / Return Rank: 86
SLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SLX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
SLX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. SLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX). 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	SLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	3.25	-1.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	4.05	-2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.52	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	4.76	-2.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.93	16.63	-11.70
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. SLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the SLX Sharpe Ratio of 3.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXJ and SLX, 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	SLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	3.25	-1.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.59	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.64	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	0.22	-0.16

Drawdowns

GDXJ vs. SLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than SLX's maximum drawdown of -82.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and SLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDXJ	SLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.66%	-82.14%	-6.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.92%	-16.35%	-16.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.92%	-27.39%	-5.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.99%	-33.62%	-17.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.77%	-61.64%	+3.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.36%	-1.15%	-27.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-60.50%	-38.73%	-21.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.31%	4.67%	+8.64%

Volatility

GDXJ vs. SLX - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 16.69% compared to VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX) at 7.87%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDXJ	SLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.69%	7.87%	+8.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.33%	17.92%	+23.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.77%	23.92%	+25.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.09%	27.72%	+13.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.05%	31.02%	+13.03%

GDXJ vs. SLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDXJ has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than SLX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDXJ vs. SLX - Dividend Comparison

GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, more than SLX's 1.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	2.37%	2.33%	2.61%	0.72%	0.51%	1.78%	1.58%	0.39%	0.45%	0.03%	4.78%	0.72%
SLX VanEck Vectors Steel ETF	1.17%	1.55%	3.56%	2.80%	4.97%	7.07%	1.87%	3.44%	6.26%	2.50%	1.06%	5.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDXJ and SLX in my portfolio?

GDXJ and SLX have a correlation of 0.45, 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 SLX?

GDXJ has higher volatility (16.69%) compared to SLX (7.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs SLX's -82.14%.

Which ETF is better, GDXJ or SLX?

On 10-year performance, SLX leads with 19.73% vs 12.98% for GDXJ. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, SLX has been the lower-risk option at 7.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDXJ or SLX?

Over the 10-year period, SLX has performed better with a 19.73% return vs 12.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDXJ or SLX?

GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for SLX.

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

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 1.17% for SLX.

What is the main difference between GDXJ and SLX?

GDXJ is categorized as Gold, while SLX is Materials. GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while SLX tracks NYSE Arca Steel Index. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for GDXJ and 0.56% for SLX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 vs 1.32), 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.