SGDJ vs. GBUG

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

SGDJ (Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF) and GBUG (Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SGDJ is a Materials fund tracking the Solactive Junior Gold Miners Custom Factors Index, while GBUG is a Gold fund actively managed by Sprott. SGDJ is passively managed, while GBUG is actively managed. Over the past year, SGDJ returned 61.13% vs 46.03% for GBUG. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SGDJ charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for GBUG.

Performance

SGDJ vs. GBUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (SGDJ) and Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SGDJ achieves a -7.68% return, which is significantly higher than GBUG's -11.03% return.

SGDJ

• 1D: -9.79%
• 1M: -15.35%
• YTD: -7.68%
• 6M: 0.99%
• 1Y: 61.13%
• 3Y*: 44.58%
• 5Y*: 14.87%
• 10Y*: 10.84%

GBUG

• 1D: -9.73%
• 1M: -15.35%
• YTD: -11.03%
• 6M: -2.89%
• 1Y: 46.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SGDJ vs. GBUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SGDJ Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF	-7.68%	126.12%
GBUG Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF	-11.03%	119.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SGDJ and GBUG is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2025	0.93

The correlation between SGDJ and GBUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SGDJ vs. GBUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGDJ

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

GBUG

GBUG Risk / Return Rank: 28
GBUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GBUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
GBUG Omega Ratio Rank: 30
GBUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
GBUG Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

SGDJ vs. GBUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (SGDJ) and Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG). 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.

	SGDJ	GBUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	0.95	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	1.38	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.19	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	1.39	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.81	3.65	+1.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SGDJ vs. GBUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SGDJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is higher than the GBUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SGDJ and GBUG, 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

	SGDJ	GBUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	0.95	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	1.42	-1.09

Drawdowns

SGDJ vs. GBUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGDJ drawdown since its inception was -59.27%, which is greater than GBUG's maximum drawdown of -33.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGDJ and GBUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGDJ	GBUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.27%	-33.18%	-26.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.22%	-33.18%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.22%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.90%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.69%	-33.18%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.25%	-7.75%	-18.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.77%	12.70%	+0.07%

Volatility

SGDJ vs. GBUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (SGDJ) is 15.21%, while Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG) has a volatility of 16.65%. This indicates that SGDJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GBUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SGDJ	GBUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.21%	16.65%	-1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.20%	40.73%	+0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.35%	48.66%	+0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.50%	48.05%	-7.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.85%	48.05%	-7.20%

SGDJ vs. GBUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SGDJ has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than GBUG's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

SGDJ vs. GBUG - Dividend Comparison

SGDJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.07%, more than GBUG's 1.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GBUG Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF	1.75%	1.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SGDJ Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF	9.07%	8.37%	6.55%	4.55%	2.46%	2.20%	1.97%	0.65%	0.00%	0.14%	1.77%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGDJ and GBUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SGDJ and GBUG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SGDJ or GBUG?

GBUG has higher volatility (16.65%) compared to SGDJ (15.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGDJ dropped -59.27% vs GBUG's -33.18%.

Which ETF is better, SGDJ or GBUG?

On 1-year performance, SGDJ leads with 61.13% vs 46.03% for GBUG. On fees, SGDJ is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SGDJ has been the lower-risk option at 15.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SGDJ or GBUG?

Over the 1-year period, SGDJ has performed better with a 61.13% return vs 46.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SGDJ or GBUG?

SGDJ is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for GBUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SGDJ or GBUG?

SGDJ has the higher dividend yield at 9.07%, compared with 1.75% for GBUG.

What is the main difference between SGDJ and GBUG?

SGDJ is categorized as Materials, while GBUG is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SGDJ and 0.89% for GBUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SGDJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.95), 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.