URA vs. GDXJ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

URA (Global X Uranium ETF) and GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URA is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index, while GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, URA returned 15.57%/yr vs 11.53%/yr for GDXJ. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URA charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for GDXJ.

Performance

URA vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Uranium ETF (URA) and VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URA achieves a 7.47% return, which is significantly higher than GDXJ's -10.70% return. Over the past 10 years, URA has outperformed GDXJ with an annualized return of 15.57%, while GDXJ has yielded a comparatively lower 11.53% annualized return.

URA

• 1D: 1.35%
• 1M: -16.78%
• YTD: 7.47%
• 6M: 0.63%
• 1Y: 43.02%
• 3Y*: 33.80%
• 5Y*: 19.23%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

GDXJ

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -19.25%
• YTD: -10.70%
• 6M: -0.52%
• 1Y: 50.65%
• 3Y*: 42.13%
• 5Y*: 15.86%
• 10Y*: 11.53%

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

URA vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URA Global X Uranium ETF	7.47%	67.18%	-0.58%	46.25%	-11.32%	57.57%	41.33%	-3.54%	-22.11%	19.36%
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	-10.70%	172.28%	15.67%	7.12%	-14.53%	-21.25%	30.40%	40.44%	-11.02%	8.22%

Correlation

The correlation between URA and GDXJ is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2010	0.39

The correlation between URA and GDXJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (10 years) to 0.52 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

URA vs. GDXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URA	GDXJ
Energy	58.2%	-
Industrials	20.9%	-
Utilities	9.2%	-
Basic Materials	5.0%	100.0%
Technology	0.9%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

URA vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

URA

URA Risk / Return Rank: 28
URA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
URA Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
URA Omega Ratio Rank: 27
URA Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
URA Martin Ratio Rank: 25

GDXJ

GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 31
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

URA vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Uranium ETF (URA) 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.

	URA	GDXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	1.00	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.44	1.45	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.20	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	1.43	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.16	3.72	-0.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

URA vs. GDXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URA Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is comparable to the GDXJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URA and GDXJ, 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

	URA	GDXJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	1.00	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.39	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.26	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.07	0.05	-0.11

Drawdowns

URA vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URA drawdown since its inception was -93.54%, which is greater than GDXJ's maximum drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URA and GDXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	URA	GDXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.54%	-88.66%	-4.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.43%	-35.60%	+7.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.81%	-35.60%	-2.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.90%	-50.99%	+13.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.45%	-57.77%	-3.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-47.89%	-34.94%	-12.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-74.99%	-60.48%	-14.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.66%	13.67%	-0.01%

Volatility

URA vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison

Global X Uranium ETF (URA) and VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) have volatilities of 16.85% and 17.66%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URA	GDXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.85%	17.66%	-0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.19%	42.71%	-3.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.23%	50.84%	+0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.83%	41.34%	+2.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.84%	44.15%	-6.31%

URA vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

URA has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXJ's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

URA vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison

URA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.54%, more than GDXJ's 2.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDXJ VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF	2.61%	2.33%	2.61%	0.72%	0.51%	1.78%	1.58%	0.39%	0.45%	0.03%	4.78%	0.72%
URA Global X Uranium ETF	4.54%	4.88%	2.86%	6.07%	0.76%	5.84%	1.69%	1.66%	0.44%	2.03%	7.28%	1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URA and GDXJ in my portfolio?

URA and GDXJ have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URA or GDXJ?

GDXJ has higher volatility (17.66%) compared to URA (16.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URA dropped -93.54% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.

Which ETF is better, URA or GDXJ?

On 10-year performance, URA leads with 15.57% vs 11.53% for GDXJ. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, URA has been the lower-risk option at 16.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URA or GDXJ?

Over the 10-year period, URA has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 11.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URA or GDXJ?

GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for URA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, URA or GDXJ?

URA has the higher dividend yield at 4.54%, compared with 2.61% for GDXJ.

What is the main difference between URA and GDXJ?

URA is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while GDXJ is Gold. URA tracks Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index, while GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for URA and 0.52% for GDXJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.85), 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.