GDXJ vs. VGZ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) is Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while VGZ (Vista Gold Corp.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ returned 12.00%/yr vs 7.84%/yr for VGZ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

GDXJ vs. VGZ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXJ achieves a -8.37% return, which is significantly lower than VGZ's 18.78% return. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ has outperformed VGZ with an annualized return of 12.00%, while VGZ has yielded a comparatively lower 7.84% annualized return.

GDXJ

• 1D: 3.15%
• 1M: -19.14%
• YTD: -8.37%
• 6M: -6.68%
• 1Y: 51.06%
• 3Y*: 44.17%
• 5Y*: 16.23%
• 10Y*: 12.00%

VGZ

• 1D: 6.36%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 18.78%
• 6M: -0.85%
• 1Y: 134.16%
• 3Y*: 63.73%
• 5Y*: 14.48%
• 10Y*: 7.84%

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

GDXJ vs. VGZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
VGZ Vista Gold Corp.	18.78%	253.05%	23.48%	-8.73%	-30.22%	-34.31%	48.97%	38.10%	-25.00%	-26.77%

Correlation

The correlation between GDXJ and VGZ is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2009	0.53

The correlation between GDXJ and VGZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (10 years) to 0.67 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GDXJ vs. VGZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 31
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 28

VGZ

VGZ Risk / Return Rank: 83
VGZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VGZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
VGZ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VGZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VGZ 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. VGZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ). 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.

	GDXJ	VGZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	1.66	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	2.33	-0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.29	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	3.19	-1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.55	6.86	-3.30

GDXJ vs. VGZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is lower than the VGZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXJ and VGZ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GDXJ vs. VGZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, smaller than the maximum VGZ drawdown of -99.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and VGZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDXJ	VGZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.66%	-99.06%	+10.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-39.47%	-42.30%	+2.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.47%	-46.23%	+6.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.76%	-78.19%	+28.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.77%	-85.10%	+27.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.25%	-82.31%	+49.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-60.45%	-70.36%	+9.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.41%	19.65%	-5.24%

Volatility

GDXJ vs. VGZ - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 19.46% compared to Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ) at 16.84%. This indicates that GDXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDXJ	VGZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.46%	16.84%	+2.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.41%	64.35%	-20.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.54%	81.23%	-29.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.50%	65.80%	-24.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.23%	66.60%	-22.37%

Dividends

GDXJ vs. VGZ - Dividend Comparison

GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, while VGZ has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VGZ Vista Gold Corp.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDXJ and VGZ in my portfolio?

GDXJ and VGZ have a correlation of 0.67, 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 VGZ?

GDXJ has higher volatility (19.46%) compared to VGZ (16.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs VGZ's -99.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 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.