GDXJ: VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds on a theme: clean energy, robotics, cybersecurity, uranium, gold miners and others.
Data updated October 2026
GDXJ · US exchange · USDCategory: Thematic ETFsData from November 2009
From November 2009 to October 2026 GDXJ returned 4.1% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $19,785.
Its deepest fall was 84.6%, from December 2010 to January 2016, and it took about 178 months to get back to the previous high. Annual volatility was 46.5%; at the last close it was 30.5% below its high.
Against SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust), over the 203 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.27: they moved largely independently. Beta was 0.80. In months when SPY rose, GDXJ moved 80% as much on average; in months when SPY fell, 75% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +4.1%
- 1-year return
- +16.7%
- 5 years, a year
- +21.7%
- 10 years, a year
- +11.7%
- Annual volatility
- 46.5%
- Maximum drawdown
- −84.6%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.29
- Worst year
- 2013: −60.8%
Trailing returns
| Period | GDXJ | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +16.7% | +16.6% |
| 3 years, a year | +49.0% | +23.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +21.7% | +12.7% |
| 10 years, a year | +11.7% | +15.4% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: GDXJ vs SPY
Month-end values from December 2009, the first month both funds have data.
GDXJ drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | GDXJ | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | −4.6% | +13.3% |
| 2025 | +172.3% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +15.7% | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +7.1% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −14.5% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | −21.3% | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +30.4% | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +40.4% | +31.2% |
| 2018 | −11.0% | −4.6% |
| 2017 | +8.2% | +21.7% |
| 2016 | +73.0% | +12.0% |
| 2015 | −19.1% | +1.2% |
| 2014 | −22.4% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | −60.8% | +32.3% |
| 2012 | −6.0% | +16.0% |
| 2011 | −17.5% | +1.9% |
| 2010 | +55.0% | +15.1% |
| 2009(partial) | +1.2% | — |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of GDXJ?
From November 2009 to October 2026 GDXJ returned 4.1% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: +21.7% a year. Over the last 12 months: +16.7%.
What was the worst drawdown of GDXJ?
84.6%, from December 2010 to January 2016; it took about 178 months from the previous high to get back to it.
How volatile is GDXJ?
Annual volatility was 46.5% over the period. Its worst month was −27.2% and 48% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2013 (−60.8%).
How closely does GDXJ follow SPY?
Over 203 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.27, so they moved largely independently, with a beta of 0.80.
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Other Thematic ETFs
- All Thematic ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- ARKK — ARK Innovation ETFCAGR +13.7%
- ICLN — iShares Global Clean Energy ETFCAGR −4.2%
- TAN — Invesco Solar ETFCAGR −8.0%
- GDX — VanEck Gold Miners ETFCAGR +5.3%
- URA — Global X Uranium ETFCAGR +23.9%
- LIT — Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETFCAGR +5.9%
- BOTZ — Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETFCAGR +8.9%
- AIQ — Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETFCAGR +19.1%
- CIBR — First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETFCAGR +16.3%
- HACK — Amplify Cybersecurity ETFCAGR +14.6%
- SKYY — First Trust Cloud Computing ETFCAGR +15.1%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.