TAGS vs. GDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TAGS (Teucrium Agricultural Fund) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TAGS is a Agricultural Commodities fund tracking the Teucrium TAGS Index, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TAGS returned -1.74%/yr vs 13.98%/yr for GDX. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TAGS charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

TAGS vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Teucrium Agricultural Fund (TAGS) 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, TAGS achieves a 6.11% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's -0.90% return. Over the past 10 years, TAGS has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of -1.74%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.98% annualized return.

TAGS

• 1D: -1.20%
• 1M: -5.48%
• YTD: 6.11%
• 6M: 4.04%
• 1Y: -0.95%
• 3Y*: -7.08%
• 5Y*: -1.51%
• 10Y*: -1.74%

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)

TAGS vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TAGS Teucrium Agricultural Fund	6.11%	-8.76%	-14.57%	-6.11%	16.25%	27.05%	8.19%	-4.53%	-7.10%	-13.94%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-0.90%	154.77%	10.63%	9.98%	-9.01%	-9.52%	23.66%	39.84%	-8.77%	11.99%

Correlation

The correlation between TAGS and GDX is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 29, 2012	0.05

The correlation between TAGS and GDX shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (1 year) to 0.10 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TAGS vs. GDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TAGS	GDX
Financial Services	99.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TAGS vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAGS

TAGS Risk / Return Rank: 8
TAGS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
TAGS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
TAGS Omega Ratio Rank: 7
TAGS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
TAGS Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

TAGS vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Teucrium Agricultural Fund (TAGS) 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.

	TAGS	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.08	1.35	-1.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.02	1.76	-1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.25	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.09	2.00	-2.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.16	5.13	-5.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TAGS vs. GDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAGS Sharpe Ratio is -0.08, which is lower than the GDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAGS 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

	TAGS	GDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08	1.35	-1.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	0.52	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.10	0.38	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.23	0.13	-0.36

Drawdowns

TAGS vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAGS drawdown since its inception was -76.40%, roughly equal to the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAGS and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAGS	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.40%	-80.34%	+3.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.07%	-30.84%	+20.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.59%	-30.84%	-2.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.60%	-46.51%	+8.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.30%	-49.79%	+2.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-63.69%	-26.62%	-37.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-57.23%	-40.43%	-16.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.88%	11.99%	-6.11%

Volatility

TAGS vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Teucrium Agricultural Fund (TAGS) is 5.52%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 15.40%. This indicates that TAGS 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

	TAGS	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	15.40%	-9.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.12%	37.50%	-27.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.61%	45.49%	-32.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.58%	36.39%	-19.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.04%	37.18%	-19.14%

TAGS vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAGS has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAGS vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

TAGS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%.

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%
TAGS Teucrium Agricultural Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAGS and GDX in my portfolio?

TAGS and GDX have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TAGS or GDX?

GDX has higher volatility (15.40%) compared to TAGS (5.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAGS dropped -76.40% vs GDX's -80.34%.

Which ETF is better, TAGS or GDX?

On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 13.98% vs -1.74% for TAGS. On fees, TAGS is cheaper at 0.21% per year. On volatility, TAGS has been the lower-risk option at 5.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TAGS or GDX?

Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 13.98% return vs -1.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAGS or GDX?

TAGS is cheaper with a 0.21% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for GDX.

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

GDX has the higher dividend yield at 0.74%, compared with 0.00% for TAGS.

What is the main difference between TAGS and GDX?

TAGS is categorized as Agricultural Commodities, while GDX is Gold. TAGS tracks Teucrium TAGS Index, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Teucrium and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for TAGS and 0.51% for GDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs -0.08), 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.