ILIT vs. GDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILIT (Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILIT is a Energy Equities fund tracking the STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ILIT returned 181.76% vs 61.27% for GDX. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ILIT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

ILIT vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILIT achieves a 25.82% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's -0.90% return.

ILIT

• 1D: -3.77%
• 1M: -12.04%
• YTD: 25.82%
• 6M: 35.19%
• 1Y: 181.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GDX

• 1D: -3.46%
• 1M: -0.76%
• YTD: -0.90%
• 6M: 5.62%
• 1Y: 61.27%
• 3Y*: 41.00%
• 5Y*: 18.69%
• 10Y*: 13.98%

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

ILIT vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF	25.82%	81.51%	-45.14%	-28.86%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-0.90%	154.77%	10.63%	5.80%

Correlation

The correlation between ILIT and GDX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2023	0.38

ILIT vs. GDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILIT	GDX
Basic Materials	81.9%	100.0%
Industrials	6.4%	-
Technology	4.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.8%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ILIT vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILIT

ILIT Risk / Return Rank: 88
ILIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ILIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
ILIT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ILIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
ILIT Martin Ratio Rank: 91

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 35
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

ILIT vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). 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.

	ILIT	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.74	1.35	+2.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	1.76	+2.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.25	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.00	2.00	+6.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	22.21	5.13	+17.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILIT vs. GDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILIT Sharpe Ratio is 3.74, which is higher than the GDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILIT and GDX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ILIT	GDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.74	1.35	+2.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.09	0.13	-0.22

Drawdowns

ILIT vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILIT drawdown since its inception was -73.69%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILIT and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILIT	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.69%	-80.34%	+6.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.86%	-30.84%	+7.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-30.84%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-46.51%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.69%	-26.62%	+8.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.87%	-40.43%	-5.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.22%	11.99%	-3.77%

Volatility

ILIT vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) is 11.95%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 15.40%. This indicates that ILIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILIT	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.95%	15.40%	-3.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.28%	37.50%	-4.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.97%	45.49%	+3.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.58%	36.39%	+5.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.58%	37.18%	+4.40%

ILIT vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILIT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILIT vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

ILIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.81%, more than GDX's 0.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	0.74%	0.74%	1.19%	1.61%	1.66%	1.67%	0.53%	0.67%	0.50%	0.76%	0.26%	0.85%
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF	1.81%	2.27%	6.48%	0.69%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILIT and GDX in my portfolio?

ILIT and GDX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILIT or GDX?

GDX has higher volatility (15.40%) compared to ILIT (11.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILIT dropped -73.69% vs GDX's -80.34%.

Which ETF is better, ILIT or GDX?

On 1-year performance, ILIT leads with 181.76% vs 61.27% for GDX. On fees, ILIT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, ILIT has been the lower-risk option at 11.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILIT or GDX?

Over the 1-year period, ILIT has performed better with a 181.76% return vs 61.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILIT or GDX?

ILIT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for GDX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ILIT or GDX?

ILIT has the higher dividend yield at 1.81%, compared with 0.74% for GDX.

What is the main difference between ILIT and GDX?

ILIT is categorized as Energy Equities, while GDX is Gold. ILIT tracks STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ILIT and 0.51% for GDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.74 vs 1.35), 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.