IBOT vs. GDXJ

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

IBOT (VanEck Robotics ETF) and GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBOT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar® Robotics Index, while GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBOT returned 22.51%/yr vs 43.15%/yr for GDXJ. Their 0.34 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. IBOT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for GDXJ.

Performance

IBOT vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBOT achieves a 24.65% return, which is significantly higher than GDXJ's -13.28% return.

IBOT

• 1D: 1.62%
• 1M: -0.91%
• 6M: 14.98%
• YTD: 24.65%
• 1Y: 42.82%
• 3Y*: 22.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 23.85%

GDXJ

• 1D: 3.44%
• 1M: -4.12%
• 6M: -20.48%
• YTD: -13.28%
• 1Y: 55.23%
• 3Y*: 43.15%
• 5Y*: 18.66%
• 10Y*: 8.85%
• ALL TIME*: 1.78%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	$470.71M	$441.62M	$622.38M
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	$1.01M	$1.03M	$1.46M

IBOT vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	24.65%	28.57%	6.39%	19.46%
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	-13.28%	172.28%	15.67%	-7.65%

Correlation

The correlation between IBOT and GDXJ is 0.46, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2023	0.34

The correlation between IBOT and GDXJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (all time) to 0.46 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IBOT vs. GDXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBOT	GDXJ
Technology	49.0%	-
Industrials	46.7%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.2%	-
Healthcare	0.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IBOT vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IBOT

IBOT Risk / Return Rank: 71
IBOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
IBOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
IBOT Omega Ratio Rank: 69
IBOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IBOT Martin Ratio Rank: 74

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 38
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 42
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 31

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IBOT vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	IBOT	GDXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.03	+0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	1.50	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.20	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	1.34	+1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.31	2.83	+6.48

IBOT vs. GDXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBOT Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is higher than the GDXJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBOT and GDXJ, 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

IBOT vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBOT drawdown since its inception was -25.39%, smaller than the maximum GDXJ drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBOT and GDXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBOT	GDXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.39%	-88.66%	+63.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.74%	-41.32%	+24.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	-41.32%	+15.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-48.79%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-57.77%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.97%	-36.83%	+31.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.02%	-60.25%	+55.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.61%	19.56%	-14.95%

Volatility

IBOT vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) is 8.40%, while VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a volatility of 14.46%. This indicates that IBOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBOT	GDXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.40%	14.46%	-6.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.95%	42.31%	-21.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.09%	54.05%	-28.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.80%	42.11%	-19.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.80%	44.20%	-21.40%

IBOT vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBOT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than GDXJ's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBOT vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison

IBOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than GDXJ's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	2.69%	2.33%	2.61%	0.72%	0.51%	1.78%	1.58%	0.39%	0.45%	0.03%	4.78%	0.72%
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	0.30%	0.38%	2.81%	2.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBOT and GDXJ in my portfolio?

IBOT and GDXJ 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.

Which is riskier, IBOT or GDXJ?

GDXJ has higher volatility (14.46%) compared to IBOT (8.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBOT dropped -25.39% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.

Which ETF is better, IBOT or GDXJ?

On 3-year performance, GDXJ leads with 43.15% vs 22.51% for IBOT. On fees, IBOT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, IBOT has been the lower-risk option at 8.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBOT or GDXJ?

Over the 3-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 43.15% return vs 22.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBOT or GDXJ?

IBOT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for GDXJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBOT or GDXJ?

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.30% for IBOT.

What is the main difference between IBOT and GDXJ?

IBOT is categorized as Technology Equities, while GDXJ is Gold. IBOT tracks BlueStar® Robotics Index, while GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBOT and 0.52% for GDXJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 1.03), 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.