GDXJ vs VXUS
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GDXJ or VXUS?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GDXJ led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window.
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 | GDXJ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $6.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 120 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.63% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +44.12%Best | +22.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +55.01%Best | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +26.21%Best | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 42.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.7% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $32,024Best | $15,260 |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2009 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (15.6 years).
GDXJ vs VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
GDXJ vs VXUS Performance
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GDXJ returned +44.12% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, GDXJ is up 9.63% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, GDXJ compounded at +55.01% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +26.21% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.76% annualized vs +0.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GDXJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 42.8% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -88.7% for GDXJ and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDXJ charges 0.52% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $5 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDXJ currently yields 2.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 71.8% of GDXJ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of GDXJ is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
57 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in GDXJ and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 120 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GDXJ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQX:CAEquinox Gold Corp | 6.77% | 0.02% | 6.75% |
| EVN:AUEvolution Mining Ltd /Aud/ 0.00000000 | 6.18% | 0.04% | 6.14% |
| AGI:CAAlamos Gold Inc | 5.81% | 0.03% | 5.78% |
| EDV:LNEndeavour Mining PLC | 5.08% | 0.02% | 5.06% |
| PE.OLES:MXIndustrias Penoles Sab De Cv | 2.88% | 0.02% | 2.86% |
| ELD:CAEldorado Gold Corp | 2.61% | 0.02% | 2.59% |
| FR:CAFirst Majestic Silver Corp | 2.55% | 0.02% | 2.53% |
| IMG:CAIamgold Corp | 2.38% | 0.02% | 2.36% |
| GMIN:CAG MINING VENTURE | 2.12% | 0.01% | 2.11% |
| LUG:CALundin Gold, Inc. | 2.00% | 0.01% | 1.99% |
71.8% of GDXJ is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GDXJ or VXUS?
GDXJ has an expense ratio of 0.52% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDXJ or VXUS?
Over the past year GDXJ returned +44.12% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so GDXJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), GDXJ annualized +0.89% vs +4.76% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDXJ or VXUS?
GDXJ has been the more volatile fund at 42.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GDXJ -88.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GDXJ and VXUS?
GDXJ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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 GDXJ and VXUS?
At least 71.8% of GDXJ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 57 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in GDXJ and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GDXJ or VXUS?
GDXJ yields 2.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GDXJ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GDXJ led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.