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GDXJ vs. URNM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GDXJ vs. URNM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) and URNM (Sprott Uranium Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while URNM is a Uranium fund tracking the VettaFi Global Uranium Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GDXJ returned 16.23%/yr vs 12.61%/yr for URNM. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDXJ charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for URNM.

Performance

GDXJ vs. URNM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM). 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 URNM's -0.56% 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%

URNM

1D
0.53%
1M
-9.26%
YTD
-0.56%
6M
-0.53%
1Y
30.38%
3Y*
20.14%
5Y*
12.61%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GDXJ vs. URNM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
GDXJ
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF		-8.37%172.28%15.67%7.12%-14.53%-21.25%30.40%7.39%
URNM
Sprott Uranium Miners ETF		-0.56%40.78%-14.13%57.80%-11.86%78.32%68.36%4.05%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXJ and URNM is 0.52, 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

0.52

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

0.44

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

0.46

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2019

0.43

The correlation between GDXJ and URNM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.43 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

GDXJ vs. URNM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
GDXJ
URNM

Basic Materials

100.0%
2.3%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

97.7%

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Basic Materials

GDXJ
100.0%
URNM
2.3%

Communication Services

GDXJ

-

URNM

-

Consumer Cyclical

GDXJ

-

URNM

-

Consumer Defensive

GDXJ

-

URNM

-

Energy

GDXJ

-

URNM
97.7%

Financial Services

GDXJ

-

URNM

-

Healthcare

GDXJ

-

URNM

-

Industrials

GDXJ

-

URNM

-

Real Estate

GDXJ

-

URNM

-

Technology

GDXJ

-

URNM

-

Utilities

GDXJ

-

URNM

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF

Sprott Uranium Miners ETF

Often compared with GDXJ:
GDXJ vs. GDXGDXJ vs. GLDGDXJ vs. SILJGDXJ vs. GOLDGDXJ vs. SPYGDXJ vs. GLDMGDXJ vs. IAU
Often compared with URNM:
URNM vs. URAURNM vs. NLRURNM vs. URNJURNM vs. NUKZURNM vs. URNP.LURNM vs. URANURNM vs. LEU

Return for Risk

GDXJ vs. URNM — 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
URNM
URNM Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
URNM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2020
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URNM Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
URNM Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
URNM Calmar Ratio Rank: 2121
Calmar Ratio Rank
URNM Martin Ratio Rank: 2020
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. URNM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM). 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.

GDXJURNMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.00
0.60

+0.39

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.45
1.18

+0.27

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.20

1.14

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.30

0.82

+0.48

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.55

2.00

+1.55

GDXJ vs. URNM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is higher than the URNM Sharpe Ratio of 0.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXJ and URNM, 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. URNM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than URNM's maximum drawdown of -50.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and URNM.

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Drawdown Indicators

GDXJURNMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-88.66%

-50.78%

-37.88%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-39.47%

-38.72%

-0.75%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-39.47%

-50.78%

+11.31%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.79%

-50.78%

+1.99%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-57.77%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-33.25%

-35.02%

+1.77%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-60.45%

-18.09%

-42.36%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

14.41%

15.78%

-1.37%

Volatility

GDXJ vs. URNM - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 19.46% compared to Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) at 17.40%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than URNM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

GDXJURNMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

19.46%

17.40%

+2.06%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

43.41%

41.84%

+1.57%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

51.54%

52.48%

-0.94%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

41.50%

48.58%

-7.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

44.23%

47.04%

-2.81%

GDXJ vs. URNM - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDXJ has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than URNM's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDXJ vs. URNM - Dividend Comparison

GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, less than URNM's 3.19% 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%
URNM
Sprott Uranium Miners ETF		3.19%3.18%3.18%3.63%0.00%6.70%2.57%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

GDXJ and URNM have a correlation of 0.52, 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 URNM (17.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs URNM's -50.78%.

On 5-year performance, GDXJ leads with 16.23% vs 12.61% for URNM. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, URNM has been the lower-risk option at 17.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 16.23% return vs 12.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for URNM.

URNM has the higher dividend yield at 3.19%, compared with 2.54% for GDXJ.

GDXJ is categorized as Gold, while URNM is Uranium. GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while URNM tracks VettaFi Global Uranium Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for GDXJ and 0.85% for URNM.

GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.60), 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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