GDXJ vs. USAGX
Compare and contrast key facts about VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and USAA Precious Metals and Minerals Fund (USAGX).
GDXJ is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. It was launched on Nov 10, 2009. USAGX is managed by Victory. It was launched on Aug 14, 1984.
Performance
GDXJ vs. USAGX - Performance Comparison
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GDXJ vs. USAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDXJ VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF | 10.08% | 172.28% | 15.67% | 7.12% | -14.53% | -21.25% | 30.40% | 40.44% | -11.02% | 8.22% |
USAGX USAA Precious Metals and Minerals Fund | 6.26% | 156.06% | 10.76% | 6.73% | -11.80% | -10.14% | 25.85% | 42.97% | -12.26% | 9.65% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GDXJ achieves a 10.08% return, which is significantly higher than USAGX's 6.26% return. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ has outperformed USAGX with an annualized return of 17.88%, while USAGX has yielded a comparatively lower 16.40% annualized return.
GDXJ
- 1D
- 4.34%
- 1M
- -19.21%
- YTD
- 10.08%
- 6M
- 28.26%
- 1Y
- 125.16%
- 3Y*
- 49.66%
- 5Y*
- 23.75%
- 10Y*
- 17.88%
USAGX
- 1D
- 6.75%
- 1M
- -20.36%
- YTD
- 6.26%
- 6M
- 20.15%
- 1Y
- 96.22%
- 3Y*
- 42.24%
- 5Y*
- 22.40%
- 10Y*
- 16.40%
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GDXJ vs. USAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDXJ has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than USAGX's 1.12% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
GDXJ vs. USAGX — Risk / Return Rank
GDXJ
USAGX
GDXJ vs. USAGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and USAA Precious Metals and Minerals Fund (USAGX). 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 | USAGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 2.47 | 2.27 | +0.21 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.63 | 2.50 | +0.13 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.37 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.77 | 3.28 | +0.49 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.05 | 12.04 | +1.00 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GDXJ | USAGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.47 | 2.27 | +0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.59 | 0.70 | -0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.40 | 0.50 | -0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.08 | 0.19 | -0.12 |
Correlation
The correlation between GDXJ and USAGX is 0.94, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
GDXJ vs. USAGX - Dividend Comparison
GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, more than USAGX's 0.23% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDXJ VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF | 2.12% | 2.33% | 2.61% | 0.72% | 0.51% | 1.78% | 1.58% | 0.39% | 0.45% | 0.03% | 4.78% | 0.72% |
USAGX USAA Precious Metals and Minerals Fund | 0.23% | 0.24% | 0.00% | 2.45% | 0.95% | 0.84% | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 4.20% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
GDXJ vs. USAGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than USAGX's maximum drawdown of -80.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and USAGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDXJ | USAGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -88.66% | -80.89% | -7.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -32.92% | -30.12% | -2.80% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -51.76% | -45.72% | -6.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -57.77% | -51.03% | -6.74% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -19.81% | -20.48% | +0.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -60.90% | -43.17% | -17.73% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.51% | 8.19% | +1.32% |
Volatility
GDXJ vs. USAGX - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 19.46% compared to USAA Precious Metals and Minerals Fund (USAGX) at 17.28%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USAGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GDXJ | USAGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 19.46% | 17.28% | +2.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 42.52% | 35.61% | +6.91% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 50.91% | 43.15% | +7.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 40.57% | 32.19% | +8.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 44.46% | 32.80% | +11.66% |