GDX vs IVV
VanEck Gold Miners ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GDX or IVV?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. GDX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, IVV over the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GDX | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.51% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $22.6B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.62% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 60 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +14.11% | +14.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +32.57%Best | +17.30% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +52.77%Best | +23.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +28.02%Best | +13.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.7% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.3% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $34,387Best | $18,944 |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.3% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 16, 2006 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 22, 2006 to Sep 22, 2026 (20.3 years).
GDX vs IVV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 20.3 years both funds cover.
GDX vs IVV Performance
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) is an ETF from VanEck and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year GDX returned +32.57% while IVV returned +17.30%. Year to date, GDX is up 14.11% versus a gain of 14.14% for IVV.
Over three years, GDX compounded at +52.77% per year against +23.04% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +28.02% and +13.63% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.77% annualized vs +5.86%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GDX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.7% compared with 15.2% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -80.3% for GDX and -56.5% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.23. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDX charges 0.51% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $51 vs $3 annually, a gap of $48 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDX currently yields 0.62% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
10.8% of GDX's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.2% of IVV's money is in holdings GDX also owns.
GDX and IVV share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 59 positions we hold weights for in GDX and 490 in IVV, against full books of 60 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 481 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for GDX (98.4% of the fund), and 4 for GDX that do not appear in IVV (6.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GDX | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 10.81% | 0.20% | 10.61% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GDX and IVV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GDX or IVV?
GDX has an expense ratio of 0.51% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $48 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDX or IVV?
Over the past year GDX returned +32.57% vs +17.30% for IVV, so GDX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), GDX annualized +5.86% vs +9.77% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDX or IVV?
GDX has been the more volatile fund at 37.7% annualized versus 15.2% for IVV. Worst drawdown: GDX -80.3% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both GDX and IVV?
GDX and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.23, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GDX and IVV?
10.8% of GDX's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.2% of IVV's is in holdings GDX also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 59 positions we hold weights for in GDX and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, GDX or IVV?
GDX yields 0.62% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than GDX?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. GDX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, IVV over the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.