IGLD vs. GDXJ
IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) and GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both Gold funds. IGLD is actively managed, while GDXJ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IGLD returned 12.05%/yr vs 18.66%/yr for GDXJ. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IGLD charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for GDXJ.
Performance
IGLD vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IGLD achieves a -6.86% return, which is significantly higher than GDXJ's -13.28% return.
IGLD
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- -1.46%
- 6M
- -11.29%
- YTD
- -6.86%
- 1Y
- 13.43%
- 3Y*
- 19.46%
- 5Y*
- 12.05%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 11.73%
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%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $470.71M | $441.62M | $622.38M | |
| $4.93M | $5.43M | $7.10M |
IGLD vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -6.86% | 47.46% | 19.36% | 9.24% | -2.34% | 4.30% |
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | -13.28% | 172.28% | 15.67% | 7.12% | -14.53% | -8.27% |
Correlation
The correlation between IGLD and GDXJ is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.78 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.75 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.74 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021 | 0.74 |
The correlation between IGLD and GDXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IGLD vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank
IGLD
GDXJ
IGLD vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) 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.
| IGLD | GDXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.65 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.20 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.57 | 1.34 | -0.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.26 | 2.83 | -1.57 |
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Drawdowns
IGLD vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IGLD drawdown since its inception was -23.84%, smaller than the maximum GDXJ drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGLD and GDXJ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IGLD | GDXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -23.84% | -88.66% | +64.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -23.84% | -41.32% | +17.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.84% | -41.32% | +17.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.84% | -48.79% | +24.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -57.77% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -22.29% | -36.83% | +14.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.71% | -60.25% | +54.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.65% | 19.56% | -8.91% |
Volatility
IGLD vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) is 5.32%, while VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a volatility of 14.46%. This indicates that IGLD 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.
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Volatility by Period
| IGLD | GDXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.32% | 14.46% | -9.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.82% | 42.31% | -21.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.12% | 54.05% | -28.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.75% | 42.11% | -26.36% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.43% | 44.20% | -28.77% |
IGLD vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
IGLD has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXJ's 0.52% expense ratio.
Dividends
IGLD vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison
IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.29%, more 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% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 23.29% | 9.91% | 20.81% | 7.85% | 4.45% | 2.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IGLD and GDXJ have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDXJ has higher volatility (14.46%) compared to IGLD (5.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGLD dropped -23.84% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.
On 5-year performance, GDXJ leads with 18.66% vs 12.05% for IGLD. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, IGLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.32%. 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 18.66% return vs 12.05%. 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 IGLD.
IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 23.29%, compared with 2.69% for GDXJ.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IGLD and 0.52% for GDXJ.
GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.03 vs 0.54), 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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