VPL vs. GDX
VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPL returned 10.83%/yr vs 13.29%/yr for GDX. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VPL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.
Performance
VPL vs. GDX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VPL achieves a 26.86% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's -6.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VPL has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of 10.83%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.29% annualized return.
VPL
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 3.26%
- YTD
- 26.86%
- 6M
- 28.52%
- 1Y
- 48.70%
- 3Y*
- 20.80%
- 5Y*
- 9.81%
- 10Y*
- 10.83%
GDX
- 1D
- 2.97%
- 1M
- -8.38%
- YTD
- -6.69%
- 6M
- -5.89%
- 1Y
- 48.02%
- 3Y*
- 38.96%
- 5Y*
- 17.51%
- 10Y*
- 13.29%
VPL vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF | 26.86% | 32.66% | 1.68% | 15.58% | -15.20% | 1.10% | 16.65% | 18.16% | -14.40% | 28.85% |
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -6.69% | 154.77% | 10.63% | 9.98% | -9.01% | -9.52% | 23.66% | 39.84% | -8.77% | 11.99% |
Correlation
The correlation between VPL and GDX is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2006 | 0.32 |
The correlation between VPL and GDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (10 years) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VPL vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank
VPL
GDX
VPL vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) 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.
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.
| VPL | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.21 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.56 | 1.40 | +2.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.60 | 3.87 | +9.73 |
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Drawdowns
VPL vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VPL drawdown since its inception was -55.49%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPL and GDX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VPL | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.49% | -80.34% | +24.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.33% | -36.28% | +22.95% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.35% | -36.28% | +19.93% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.09% | -46.51% | +15.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.90% | -49.79% | +15.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.90% | -30.91% | +28.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.62% | -40.41% | +28.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.49% | 13.11% | -9.62% |
Volatility
VPL vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) is 10.01%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 17.20%. This indicates that VPL 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VPL | GDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.01% | 17.20% | -7.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.75% | 39.15% | -20.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.26% | 46.89% | -25.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.67% | 36.74% | -19.07% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.47% | 37.34% | -19.87% |
VPL vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VPL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.
Dividends
VPL vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison
VPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, more than GDX's 0.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | 0.79% | 0.74% | 1.19% | 1.61% | 1.66% | 1.67% | 0.53% | 0.67% | 0.50% | 0.76% | 0.26% | 0.85% |
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF | 2.80% | 4.01% | 3.15% | 3.12% | 2.75% | 3.19% | 1.81% | 2.84% | 3.06% | 2.57% | 2.65% | 2.43% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VPL and GDX have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDX has higher volatility (17.20%) compared to VPL (10.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPL dropped -55.49% vs GDX's -80.34%.
On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 13.29% vs 10.83% for VPL. On fees, VPL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VPL has been the lower-risk option at 10.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 13.29% return vs 10.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for GDX.
VPL has the higher dividend yield at 2.80%, compared with 0.79% for GDX.
VPL is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while GDX is Gold. VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VPL and 0.51% for GDX.
VPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.09), 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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