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GDXJ vs. VGK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GDXJ vs. VGK

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) and VGK (Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while VGK is a Europe Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ returned 12.00%/yr vs 10.28%/yr for VGK. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDXJ charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VGK.

Performance

GDXJ vs. VGK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK). 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 VGK's 7.69% return. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ has outperformed VGK with an annualized return of 12.00%, while VGK has yielded a comparatively lower 10.28% annualized 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%

VGK

1D
0.18%
1M
4.46%
YTD
7.69%
6M
9.92%
1Y
19.73%
3Y*
16.69%
5Y*
8.50%
10Y*
10.28%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GDXJ vs. VGK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
GDXJ
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF		-8.37%172.28%15.67%7.12%-14.53%-21.25%30.40%40.44%-11.02%8.22%
VGK
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF		7.69%35.83%1.88%20.19%-15.98%16.89%5.43%24.85%-14.89%26.98%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXJ and VGK is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.46

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

0.46

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

0.47

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.34

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2009

0.33

The correlation between GDXJ and VGK shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (all time) to 0.47 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GDXJ vs. VGK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
GDXJ
VGK

Basic Materials

100.0%
5.3%

Communication Services

-

3.3%

Consumer Cyclical

-

6.8%

Consumer Defensive

-

8.4%

Energy

-

5.3%

Financial Services

-

23.6%

Healthcare

-

11.9%

Industrials

-

19.3%

Real Estate

-

1.5%

Technology

-

8.2%

Utilities

-

4.7%

Basic Materials

GDXJ
100.0%
VGK
5.3%

Communication Services

GDXJ

-

VGK
3.3%

Consumer Cyclical

GDXJ

-

VGK
6.8%

Consumer Defensive

GDXJ

-

VGK
8.4%

Energy

GDXJ

-

VGK
5.3%

Financial Services

GDXJ

-

VGK
23.6%

Healthcare

GDXJ

-

VGK
11.9%

Industrials

GDXJ

-

VGK
19.3%

Real Estate

GDXJ

-

VGK
1.5%

Technology

GDXJ

-

VGK
8.2%

Utilities

GDXJ

-

VGK
4.7%

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

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF

Often compared with GDXJ:
GDXJ vs. GDXGDXJ vs. GLDGDXJ vs. SILJGDXJ vs. GOLDGDXJ vs. SPYGDXJ vs. GLDMGDXJ vs. IAU
Often compared with VGK:
VGK vs. VEAVGK vs. IEURVGK vs. VOOVGK vs. VXUSVGK vs. VEUVGK vs. FEZVGK vs. SPEU

Return for Risk

GDXJ vs. VGK — 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
VGK
VGK Risk / Return Rank: 3636
Overall Rank
VGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3636
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 3636
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGK Omega Ratio Rank: 3434
Omega Ratio Rank
VGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGK Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
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. VGK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK). 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.

GDXJVGKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.00
1.13

-0.14

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.45
1.68

-0.22

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.20

1.20

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.30

1.49

-0.19

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.55

5.52

-1.96

GDXJ vs. VGK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is comparable to the VGK Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXJ and VGK, 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. VGK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than VGK's maximum drawdown of -63.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and VGK.

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Drawdown Indicators

GDXJVGKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-88.66%

-63.61%

-25.05%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-39.47%

-12.09%

-27.38%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-39.47%

-14.31%

-25.16%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.79%

-32.74%

-16.05%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-57.77%

-37.24%

-20.53%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-33.25%

-0.50%

-32.75%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-60.45%

-13.33%

-47.12%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

14.41%

3.27%

+11.14%

Volatility

GDXJ vs. VGK - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 19.46% compared to Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) at 5.82%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

GDXJVGKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

19.46%

5.82%

+13.64%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

43.41%

13.36%

+30.05%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

51.54%

15.92%

+35.62%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

41.50%

17.98%

+23.52%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

44.23%

18.95%

+25.28%

GDXJ vs. VGK - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDXJ has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than VGK's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDXJ vs. VGK - Dividend Comparison

GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, less than VGK's 2.76% 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%
VGK
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF		2.76%2.86%3.61%3.15%3.25%3.05%2.11%3.27%3.95%2.70%3.52%3.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

GDXJ and VGK have a correlation of 0.46, 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 VGK (5.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs VGK's -63.61%.

On 10-year performance, GDXJ leads with 12.00% vs 10.28% for VGK. On fees, VGK is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, VGK has been the lower-risk option at 5.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 12.00% return vs 10.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VGK is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for GDXJ.

VGK has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 2.54% for GDXJ.

GDXJ is categorized as Gold, while VGK is Europe Equities. GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while VGK tracks FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for GDXJ and 0.06% for VGK.

VGK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs 1.00), 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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