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GDXJ vs. SMHX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GDXJ vs. SMHX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) and SMHX (VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while SMHX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GDXJ returned 65.12% vs 139.42% for SMHX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDXJ charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMHX.

Performance

GDXJ vs. SMHX - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXJ achieves a -2.55% return, which is significantly lower than SMHX's 78.44% 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%

SMHX

1D
0.94%
1M
33.64%
YTD
78.44%
6M
72.62%
1Y
139.42%
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GDXJ vs. SMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024
GDXJ
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF		-2.55%172.28%-4.59%
SMHX
VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF		78.44%30.00%17.76%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXJ and SMHX is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.27

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2024

0.22

GDXJ vs. SMHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
GDXJ
SMHX

Basic Materials

100.0%

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

100.0%

Utilities

-

-

Basic Materials

GDXJ
100.0%
SMHX

-

Communication Services

GDXJ

-

SMHX

-

Consumer Cyclical

GDXJ

-

SMHX

-

Consumer Defensive

GDXJ

-

SMHX

-

Energy

GDXJ

-

SMHX

-

Financial Services

GDXJ

-

SMHX

-

Healthcare

GDXJ

-

SMHX

-

Industrials

GDXJ

-

SMHX

-

Real Estate

GDXJ

-

SMHX

-

Technology

GDXJ

-

SMHX
100.0%

Utilities

GDXJ

-

SMHX

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF

VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with GDXJ:
GDXJ vs. GDXGDXJ vs. GLDGDXJ vs. SILJGDXJ vs. GOLDGDXJ vs. SPYGDXJ vs. GLDMGDXJ vs. IAU
Often compared with SMHX:
SMHX vs. SMHSMHX vs. FSELXSMHX vs. IGVSMHX vs. SOXQSMHX vs. CHPXSMHX vs. AVUVSMHX vs. QTOP

Return for Risk

GDXJ vs. SMHX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
GDXJ
GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 3535
Overall Rank
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3636
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 3232
Sortino Ratio Rank
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 3535
Omega Ratio Rank
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 3939
Calmar Ratio Rank
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 3232
Martin Ratio Rank
SMHX
SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 9393
Overall Rank
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9696
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9292
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 9090
Omega Ratio Rank
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9595
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 9292
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. SMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). 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.

GDXJSMHXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.32
4.30

-2.98

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.74
4.50

-2.76

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.59

-0.35

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.99

8.22

-6.23

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.95

23.13

-18.18

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. SMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the SMHX Sharpe Ratio of 4.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXJ and SMHX, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

GDXJSMHXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.32

4.30

-2.98

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.43

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.30

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.06

1.94

-1.88

Drawdowns

GDXJ vs. SMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than SMHX's maximum drawdown of -38.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and SMHX.

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Drawdown Indicators

GDXJSMHXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-88.66%

-38.53%

-50.13%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-32.92%

-17.06%

-15.86%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-32.92%

—

—

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

-29.01%

0.00%

-29.01%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-60.50%

-7.33%

-53.17%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

13.19%

6.05%

+7.14%

Volatility

GDXJ vs. SMHX - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 16.66% compared to VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) at 11.81%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

GDXJSMHXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

16.66%

11.81%

+4.85%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

41.34%

25.06%

+16.28%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

49.79%

32.69%

+17.10%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

41.10%

39.97%

+1.13%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

44.06%

39.97%

+4.09%

GDXJ vs. SMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDXJ has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than SMHX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDXJ vs. SMHX - Dividend Comparison

GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, more than SMHX's 0.01% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
GDXJ
VanEck 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%
SMHX
VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF		0.01%0.02%0.04%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

GDXJ and SMHX have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

GDXJ has higher volatility (16.66%) compared to SMHX (11.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs SMHX's -38.53%.

On 1-year performance, SMHX leads with 139.42% vs 65.12% for GDXJ. On fees, SMHX is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SMHX has been the lower-risk option at 11.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 1-year period, SMHX has performed better with a 139.42% return vs 65.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SMHX is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for GDXJ.

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.39%, compared with 0.01% for SMHX.

GDXJ is categorized as Gold, while SMHX is Semiconductors. GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while SMHX tracks MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for GDXJ and 0.35% for SMHX.

SMHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.30 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.

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