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VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF vs Global X Silver Miners ETF

GDXJ

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF NYSE

$124.10 ▼ 3.98%
VS

SIL

Global X Silver Miners ETF NYSE

$96.20 ▼ 3.91%
Last updated: (1m ago) • GDXJ at $124.10, SIL at $96.20
CleaRank Financial AIData from TwelveData
Reviewed by CleaRank editorial team. Data refreshed daily. Not financial advice.

Comparative Analysis

SIL wins due to stronger recent momentum and a more favorable expense ratio, despite GDXJ's larger net assets. SIL has outperformed GDXJ across multiple trailing return periods, including year-to-date and the crucial 1-year and 3-year metrics. While both ETFs track precious metals miners, SIL's current price action and historical performance suggest a more compelling investment case at this juncture. GDXJ's higher expense ratio also presents a drag on performance compared to SIL. Investors seeking exposure to precious metals mining should favor SIL for its superior performance trajectory and cost efficiency.

Key Differentiator

The key differentiator between GDXJ and SIL lies in their recent performance trends and expense ratios. SIL has outperformed GDXJ across most key trailing return periods, including year-to-date, 1-year, and 3-year, indicating stronger momentum. Furthermore, SIL's expense ratio of 0.65% is lower than GDXJ's 0.52%, making it a more cost-effective investment. While GDXJ boasts larger net assets, SIL's superior performance and lower costs make it the more attractive option for investors focused on maximizing returns in the precious metals mining ETF space.

Joint Outlook

The outlook for both GDXJ and SIL is intrinsically linked to the performance of gold and silver prices, as well as broader macroeconomic factors. In a scenario of rising inflation and geopolitical instability, precious metals and their miners could see significant upside. Conversely, a strong USD and rising real interest rates would likely present headwinds. SIL's recent outperformance suggests it may be better positioned to capture upward price movements, while GDXJ's larger asset base offers a degree of stability. Investors should anticipate continued volatility, with potential for sharp moves in either direction based on central bank policy and global economic sentiment.

Price Analysis Comparison

Asset Metrics i

Asset Metrics: GDXJ vs SIL
Metric GDXJ SIL
52 Week Range $85.60 - $157.49 $61.80 - $119.24
Prev. Close $129.25 $100.11
24h Volume 4.60M 992.20K
Instead, we assess their performance relative to their 52-week ranges and recent price action. SIL is currently trading at $96.20, closer to its 52-week high of $119.24 than its low of $61.80. GDXJ is trading at $124.10, also closer to its 52-week high of $157.49 than its low of $85.60. Both ETFs are experiencing downward price pressure, with current prices below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating bearish technical trends. SIL's RSI of 48.16 and GDXJ's RSI of 44.51 suggest room for potential upward movement before reaching overbought territory, but current momentum is weak for both.

Market Performance i

Market Performance: GDXJ vs SIL
Metric GDXJ SIL
Volatility (30D) 68.74% 63.37%
24h Range $123.88 - $126.38 $95.64 - $97.79
Market Strength (RSI) 44.5 48.2
Trend (SMA 50) Bullish Bullish
GDXJ has shown higher recent volatility (68.7%) compared to SIL (63.4%). Market momentum is currently Bullish for both.

Technical Indicators

Technical indicators: GDXJ vs SIL
Indicator GDXJ SIL
RSI (14) 44.51 48.16
50-Day MA $111.62 $85.62
200-Day MA $118.65 $90.09
Both GDXJ and SIL are exhibiting weak technical trends, with current prices trading below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages. GDXJ's 50-day SMA is $111.62 and its 200-day SMA is $118.65, while SIL's are $85.62 and $90.09 respectively. GDXJ's RSI is at 44.51, and SIL's is at 48.16, both indicating a lack of strong momentum. The Stochastic indicators are also low, with GDXJ at 14.74 and SIL at 23.81, suggesting oversold conditions that could precede a bounce. MACD values are positive but modest for both, with GDXJ at 4.33 and SIL at 3.59, offering little conviction for a strong trend. SIL shows slightly better momentum readings on its RSI and Stochastic.

AI Analyst Sentiment

Technical rating — based on current price action versus moving averages and momentum. This measures short-term chart trend, not analyst opinion or company fundamentals.

GDXJ

Buy
Technical Score: 75/100

SIL

Buy
Technical Score: 75/100
Analyst ratings and targets are not available for either GDXJ or SIL, preventing a direct comparison of institutional sentiment. Sentiment must therefore be inferred from price action and trailing returns. SIL's stronger year-to-date, 1-year, and 3-year trailing returns suggest a more positive market perception and performance compared to GDXJ. The higher inflows implied by SIL's stronger recent performance could indicate greater investor interest. GDXJ's larger net assets ($9.63 billion vs $5.26 billion for SIL) suggest a longer history and potentially broader investor base, but current momentum favors SIL.

Risk Stratification i

Risk metrics: GDXJ vs SIL
Metric GDXJ SIL
Sharpe Ratio 1.20 1.25
The primary risk for both GDXJ and SIL is the inherent volatility of the precious metals mining sector, which is highly sensitive to commodity prices, geopolitical events, and currency fluctuations. GDXJ, with its higher expense ratio of 0.52%, presents a slightly higher cost drag on returns compared to SIL's 0.65%. While GDXJ has larger net assets, suggesting greater liquidity and stability, SIL has demonstrated stronger recent performance, which could imply higher underlying portfolio risk or simply better stock selection by the fund managers. A significant drop in gold and silver prices would negatively impact both ETFs, but SIL's recent outperformance might also indicate a higher beta to precious metal price movements.

Comparative ProTips

  • Consider SIL for its superior recent momentum and lower expense ratio, making it a more cost-efficient choice for capturing potential upside in precious metals miners.
  • Monitor precious metal prices closely, as they are the primary driver for both GDXJ and SIL. Any significant shifts in gold or silver could rapidly alter the performance of these ETFs.
  • While GDXJ has larger net assets, SIL's stronger trailing returns suggest it may be better positioned to capitalize on current market conditions within the precious metals mining sector.

Monte Carlo Projection (10yr)

Actionable Trade Plans

Compare entry, exit, and risk management levels for both assets

Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative 3% Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
GDXJ
Current: $124.10
ENTRY ZONES
$117.89
$124.10
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$114.36
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5%
$123.79
+10%
$129.68
+15%
$135.58
SIL
Current: $96.20
ENTRY ZONES
$91.39
$96.20
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$88.65
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5%
$95.96
+10%
$100.53
+15%
$105.10
⚠️ Disclaimer
This comparison involves assets with varying risk profiles. The content is for educational purposes only. Comparison includes a higher-volatility asset (GDXJ). Correlations between assets with different volatility profiles can break down rapidly during market stress. Liquidity risks may prevent execution at displayed prices.

Note: The AI favored SIL based on price momentum. This is valid for the specified timeframe only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is a better buy, GDXJ or SIL?+
SIL is the preferred buy due to its stronger recent momentum, outperforming GDXJ in year-to-date, 1-year, and 3-year trailing returns. SIL also has a lower expense ratio (0.65%) compared to GDXJ (0.52%), making it more cost-efficient.
What are the key risks for GDXJ vs SIL?+
Both ETFs face risks tied to precious metal price volatility and the performance of underlying mining companies. GDXJ's higher expense ratio presents a slight cost disadvantage, while SIL's stronger recent performance could indicate higher sensitivity to market swings.
How do GDXJ and SIL compare on expense ratios?+
GDXJ has an expense ratio of 0.52%, while SIL has an expense ratio of 0.65%. This means GDXJ is cheaper to hold on an annual basis, costing $52 per $10,000 invested compared to SIL's $65.
Which ETF has provided better returns recently?+
SIL has shown stronger recent returns, with a year-to-date return of 17.19% compared to GDXJ's 12.28%. SIL also leads in 1-year (71.34% vs 65.27%) and 3-year (56.87% vs 55.45%) trailing returns.
What is the sector exposure for GDXJ and SIL?+
Both GDXJ and SIL are heavily concentrated in the Basic Materials sector, with SIL holding 99.86% and GDXJ holding 100% in this sector, primarily focusing on precious metals mining companies.
How do the net assets of GDXJ and SIL compare?+
GDXJ has significantly larger net assets, totaling $9.63 billion, compared to SIL's $5.26 billion. This suggests GDXJ may have a longer track record and potentially greater liquidity.
What is the outlook for precious metals miners ETFs like GDXJ and SIL?+
The outlook depends heavily on gold and silver prices, inflation trends, and central bank policies. Positive real interest rates and a strong USD are headwinds, while geopolitical uncertainty and inflation concerns can be tailwinds.

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Disclaimer: CleaRank.com is a financial data and analytics provider, not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or financial regulatory body. This AI-generated comparison of GDXJ vs SIL is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities or digital assets. The comparison metrics, trade plans, and AI signals are hypothetical, hindsight-based, and simulated. Different asset classes carry different risk profiles - stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and forex each have unique regulatory frameworks and risk factors. Market data is provided "as-is" and may be delayed by 15 minutes or more. Past performance does not guarantee future results. You should never invest money you cannot afford to lose. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Analysis generated on September 11, 2026.