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URNM vs. GDXJ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

URNM vs. GDXJ

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

URNM (Sprott Uranium Miners ETF) and GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URNM is a Uranium fund tracking the VettaFi Global Uranium Miners Index, while GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, URNM returned 12.61%/yr vs 16.23%/yr for GDXJ. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URNM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for GDXJ.

Performance

URNM vs. GDXJ - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URNM achieves a -0.56% return, which is significantly higher than GDXJ's -8.37% return.

URNM

1D
0.53%
1M
-9.26%
YTD
-0.56%
6M
-0.53%
1Y
30.38%
3Y*
20.14%
5Y*
12.61%
10Y*
—

GDXJ

1D
3.15%
1M
-10.41%
YTD
-8.37%
6M
-6.68%
1Y
49.74%
3Y*
44.17%
5Y*
16.23%
10Y*
12.00%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

URNM vs. GDXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
URNM
Sprott Uranium Miners ETF		-0.56%40.78%-14.13%57.80%-11.86%78.32%68.36%4.05%
GDXJ
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF		-8.37%172.28%15.67%7.12%-14.53%-21.25%30.40%7.39%

Correlation

The correlation between URNM 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

0.44

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.46

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2019

0.43

The correlation between URNM and GDXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.43 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

URNM vs. GDXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
URNM
GDXJ

Energy

97.7%

-

Basic Materials

2.3%
100.0%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Energy

URNM
97.7%
GDXJ

-

Basic Materials

URNM
2.3%
GDXJ
100.0%

Communication Services

URNM

-

GDXJ

-

Consumer Cyclical

URNM

-

GDXJ

-

Consumer Defensive

URNM

-

GDXJ

-

Financial Services

URNM

-

GDXJ

-

Healthcare

URNM

-

GDXJ

-

Industrials

URNM

-

GDXJ

-

Real Estate

URNM

-

GDXJ

-

Technology

URNM

-

GDXJ

-

Utilities

URNM

-

GDXJ

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Sprott Uranium Miners ETF

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF

Often compared with URNM:
URNM vs. URAURNM vs. NLRURNM vs. URNJURNM vs. NUKZURNM vs. URNP.LURNM vs. URANURNM vs. LEU
Often compared with GDXJ:
GDXJ vs. GDXGDXJ vs. GLDGDXJ vs. SILJGDXJ vs. GOLDGDXJ vs. SPYGDXJ vs. GLDMGDXJ vs. IAU

Return for Risk

URNM vs. GDXJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
URNM
URNM Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
URNM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2020
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URNM Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
URNM Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
URNM Calmar Ratio Rank: 2121
Calmar Ratio Rank
URNM Martin Ratio Rank: 2020
Martin Ratio Rank
GDXJ
GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 3131
Overall Rank
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3131
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 3030
Sortino Ratio Rank
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 3030
Calmar Ratio Rank
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 2828
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

URNM vs. GDXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) 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.

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.

URNMGDXJDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.60
1.00

-0.39

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.18
1.45

-0.27

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.14

1.20

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.82

1.30

-0.48

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.00

3.55

-1.55

URNM vs. GDXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URNM Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the GDXJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URNM 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.

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Drawdowns

URNM vs. GDXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URNM drawdown since its inception was -50.78%, smaller than the maximum GDXJ drawdown of -88.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URNM and GDXJ.

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Drawdown Indicators

URNMGDXJDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.78%

-88.66%

+37.88%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-38.72%

-39.47%

+0.75%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-50.78%

-39.47%

-11.31%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-50.78%

-48.79%

-1.99%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-57.77%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-35.02%

-33.25%

-1.77%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-18.09%

-60.45%

+42.36%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

15.78%

14.41%

+1.37%

Volatility

URNM vs. GDXJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) is 17.40%, while VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a volatility of 19.46%. This indicates that URNM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

URNMGDXJDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

17.40%

19.46%

-2.06%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

41.84%

43.41%

-1.57%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

52.48%

51.54%

+0.94%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

48.58%

41.50%

+7.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

47.04%

44.23%

+2.81%

URNM vs. GDXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

URNM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than GDXJ's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

URNM vs. GDXJ - Dividend Comparison

URNM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.19%, more than GDXJ's 2.54% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
GDXJ
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF		2.54%2.33%2.61%0.72%0.51%1.78%1.58%0.39%0.45%0.03%4.78%0.72%
URNM
Sprott Uranium Miners ETF		3.19%3.18%3.18%3.63%0.00%6.70%2.57%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

URNM 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.

GDXJ has higher volatility (19.46%) compared to URNM (17.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URNM dropped -50.78% vs GDXJ's -88.66%.

On 5-year performance, GDXJ leads with 16.23% vs 12.61% for URNM. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, URNM has been the lower-risk option at 17.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 16.23% return vs 12.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for URNM.

URNM has the higher dividend yield at 3.19%, compared with 2.54% for GDXJ.

URNM is categorized as Uranium, while GDXJ is Gold. URNM tracks VettaFi Global Uranium Miners Index, while GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for URNM and 0.52% for GDXJ.

GDXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.60), 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.

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