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Head-to-head · ETF vs ETF
SPDR Gold Shares vs VanEck Gold Miners ETF
vs
GLD vs GDX: the verdict
How GLD and GDX compare today, and what CleaRank Financial AI makes of it.
The verdict
CleaRank Financial AI favours
GDX
GLD
GDX
19/100
AI score
42/100
-2.6%
1-year change
+19.0%
21.5%
Volatility (30d, yearly)
39.6%
35.6
RSI (14-day)
41.9
The verdict
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) ranks ahead on CleaRank's model, with a score of 42/100 (Hold) versus 19/100 (Strong Sell) for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). The largest difference comes from one-year performance, where GDX's price rose 8.69% over the past year.
Outlook
GLD would need to regain its 50-day average at $393.83 and its 200-day at $413.99 to turn its downtrend. GDX would need to regain its 50-day average at $92.86 and its 200-day at $90.94 to turn its downtrend.
Price, side by side
Both prices start at 0% on the first day of the period you pick, so the moves compare directly.
Rebased price
-10%-5%0%-6.5%-13%
Oct '26
0%+10%+20%+30%+40%+7%-1.8%
Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
-20%-10%0%+10%-13%-14%
May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
0%+20%+40%+60%+11%-2.6%
Nov '25Jan '26Mar '26Jun '26Aug '26Oct '26
0%+50%+100%+150%+200%+107%+59%
Sep '24Feb '25Jul '25Dec '25May '26Oct '26
Over 1 year: GLD lost 2.6% and GDX gained 11.3%, a gap of 13.9 points in GDX's favour.
Key metrics
Size and recent performance for each.
Size and market performance
GLD
GDX
$141.7B
Size (net assets / market cap)
$26.3B
6.4M
Volume (shares, last session)
15.5M
5%
Position in 52-week range
31%
-6.6%
Price against 50-day average
-10.1%
Reading
Holding GLD costs less. Its expense ratio is 0.40%, while GDX's is 0.51%. For a $10,000 position that works out to $40.00 a year in GLD and $51.00 in GDX. GLD is also the bigger fund, with $141.7B in net assets compared with $26.3B for GDX.
Momentum and sentiment
The indicators behind each AI score, side by side.
Indicators side by side
GLD
GDX
19/100
AI score
42/100
35.6
RSI (14-day)
41.9
-6.6%
Price against 50-day average
-10.1%
-11.2%
Price against 200-day average
-8.4%
Technicals
GLD is in a downtrend, trading 6.60% below its 50-day average and 11.15% below its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 35.6, in the bearish zone, with the MACD line negative. GDX is in a downtrend, trading 10.08% below its 50-day average and 8.43% below its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 34.5, in the bearish zone, with the MACD line negative. GDX sits higher in its 52-week range, at 27% against 5% for GLD.
Sentiment
GLD fell 6.50% over the past month and fell 1.82% over three months. GDX fell 14.28% over the past month and rose 6.61% over three months.
Risk and practical tips
How much each moves, how much return each has paid for that risk, and what to watch if you hold either.
Risk measures
GLD
GDX
21.5%
Volatility (30d, yearly)
39.6%
0.82
Sharpe ratio
0.92
Risk
GDX moves more on an average day, 2.49% against 1.25% for GLD. Their worst falls in the price history were 26.4% for GLD (January 2026 to July 2026) and 47.1% for GDX (August 2020 to October 2022). On these measures together, GDX is the riskier of the two.
ProTips
- For GLD, watch the 20-day EMA at $379.17 above the price and the 52-week low at $360.12 below it.
- For GDX, watch the 20-day EMA at $86.94 above the price and the 52-week low at $68.20 below it.
- Fees add up over time. On $10,000, GLD costs $40.00 a year and GDX costs $51.00.
GLD vs GDX: long-term scenarios
Simulated paths from each price history. A range of outcomes, not a forecast.
Simulated growth of $10,000
$20K$40K$60K$80K$100K$106K$43.5K$23.1K$22.3K
202620282030203220342036
GLD
GDX
$11,407
Downside, 2036 (10th)
$5,023
$22,266
Base case, 2036 (median)
$23,079
$43,461
Upside, 2036 (90th)
$106,037
In the median simulated path, $10,000 in GLD grows to about $22,300 and $10,000 in GDX to about $23,100 by 2036. The paths come from each asset's own historical volatility and trend; they are statistical outcomes, not forecasts.
Trade plans for both
Entry, stop and target levels from each moving average and its volatility. Educational, not advice.
Actionable Trade Plans
Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative
3%
Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$
✎
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
GLD
Current: $367.82
ENTRY ZONES
Conservative
$375.18
Aggressive
$367.82
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$386.43
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
-5% from current
$349.43
-10% from current
$331.04
-15% from current
$312.65
GDX
Current: $83.19
ENTRY ZONES
Conservative
$84.85
Aggressive
$83.19
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$87.40
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
-5% from current
$79.03
-10% from current
$74.87
-15% from current
$70.71
Calculate Your Trade
Disclaimer
The content is for educational purposes only. The verdict weighs trend, valuation and risk together. Trading involves risk of loss. Note: The AI favored GDX based on its price trend, on today's data.
GLD vs GDX: questions people ask
Answered from the figures on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, GLD or GDX?+
On CleaRank's model GDX scores higher, 42/100 (Hold) against 19/100 (Strong Sell) for GLD. This describes the data on this page and is not a personal recommendation.
Which has performed better over the past year, GLD or GDX?+
GDX has done better: its price rose 8.69% over the past year, while GLD fell 2.57%.
Which is cheaper to own, GLD or GDX?+
Cost is where GLD has the edge: its expense ratio is 0.40%, compared with 0.51% for GDX.
Which pays more income, GLD or GDX?+
GDX pays the higher yield at 0.72%, and GLD reports no yield at all. Yield is the payout divided by the price, so it moves whenever either of those moves.
Which is riskier, GLD or GDX?+
GDX is the riskier of the two on the measures we track. Average daily move: 1.25% for GLD, 2.49% for GDX. Worst fall in the price history: 26.4% for GLD, 47.1% for GDX.
Which has stronger momentum right now, GLD or GDX?+
GLD's 14-day RSI is higher at 35.6, bearish, versus 34.5, also bearish, for GDX. Both MACD lines are negative. Readings above 70 or below 30 signal stretched momentum.
Which fund is larger, GLD or GDX?+
GLD is the bigger fund by assets, with $141.7B in net assets against $26.3B for GDX.
How would $10,000 have grown in GLD or GDX?+
Invested in October 2016, $10,000 would be worth $30,396 today in GLD and $36,606 in GDX.
Which is closer to its 52-week high, GLD or GDX?+
GLD sits closer to its peak: its price is 27.84% under the 52-week high of $509.70, while GDX is 30.70% under its $117.18 high.