PLUS.AX vs. GDX.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

PLUS.AX (VanEck Australian Corporate Bond Plus ETF) and GDX.AX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLUS.AX is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the VanEck Australian Corporate Bond Plus Index, while GDX.AX is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the VanEck Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PLUS.AX returned 1.01%/yr vs 19.55%/yr for GDX.AX. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PLUS.AX vs. GDX.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in VanEck Australian Corporate Bond Plus ETF (PLUS.AX) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLUS.AX achieves a 1.15% return, which is significantly higher than GDX.AX's -17.99% return.

PLUS.AX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 0.67%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 1Y: 1.90%
• 3Y*: 5.38%
• 5Y*: 1.01%
• 10Y*: —

GDX.AX

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: -10.41%
• 6M: -27.13%
• YTD: -17.99%
• 1Y: 34.35%
• 3Y*: 33.43%
• 5Y*: 19.55%
• 10Y*: 11.49%

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

PLUS.AX vs. GDX.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLUS.AX VanEck Australian Corporate Bond Plus ETF	1.15%	5.01%	5.49%	7.67%	-10.32%	-2.09%	5.51%	8.91%	2.97%	2.77%
GDX.AX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-17.99%	143.80%	19.59%	10.67%	-1.08%	-8.19%	13.31%	45.23%	-1.28%	2.57%

Correlation

The correlation between PLUS.AX and GDX.AX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 9, 2017	0.18

Return for Risk

PLUS.AX vs. GDX.AX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLUS.AX

PLUS.AX Risk / Return Rank: 16
PLUS.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
PLUS.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
PLUS.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
PLUS.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
PLUS.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

GDX.AX

GDX.AX Risk / Return Rank: 25
GDX.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
GDX.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GDX.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
GDX.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GDX.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

PLUS.AX vs. GDX.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Australian Corporate Bond Plus ETF (PLUS.AX) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX.AX). 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.

	PLUS.AX	GDX.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.47	0.77	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.70	1.24	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.16	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.45	0.95	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.96	2.05	-1.08

PLUS.AX vs. GDX.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLUS.AX Sharpe Ratio is 0.47, which is lower than the GDX.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLUS.AX and GDX.AX, 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

PLUS.AX vs. GDX.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLUS.AX drawdown since its inception was -16.54%, smaller than the maximum GDX.AX drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLUS.AX and GDX.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLUS.AX	GDX.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.54%	-45.51%	+28.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.81%	-36.27%	+32.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.81%	-36.27%	+32.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.54%	-38.41%	+21.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-36.27%	+35.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.57%	-19.69%	+16.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	17.14%	-15.32%

Volatility

PLUS.AX vs. GDX.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Australian Corporate Bond Plus ETF (PLUS.AX) is 0.76%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX.AX) has a volatility of 11.80%. This indicates that PLUS.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDX.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLUS.AX	GDX.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.76%	11.80%	-11.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.72%	36.98%	-34.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.63%	44.45%	-40.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.28%	32.60%	-27.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.90%	33.49%	-26.59%

Dividends

PLUS.AX vs. GDX.AX - Dividend Comparison

PLUS.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.68%, less than GDX.AX's 19.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDX.AX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	19.79%	0.48%	1.35%	3.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.45%	0.55%	0.87%	0.00%	0.39%	1.33%
PLUS.AX VanEck Australian Corporate Bond Plus ETF	3.68%	4.15%	3.44%	2.99%	3.06%	2.20%	2.42%	3.41%	2.57%	0.94%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLUS.AX and GDX.AX in my portfolio?

PLUS.AX and GDX.AX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

What is the main difference between PLUS.AX and GDX.AX?

PLUS.AX is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while GDX.AX is Commodity Producers Equities. PLUS.AX tracks VanEck Australian Corporate Bond Plus Index, while GDX.AX tracks VanEck Gold Miners Index.