Home 
Today's Top Picks 
Top Performers 
Watchlist 
My Robo Portfolios 
ETF Zone 
How It Works 
News - Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Fund Details
Upturn AI Summary
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF(GDXJ)
Top performer 
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for GDXJ
09/25/2026: GDXJ (4-star) is a SELL. SELL for 2 days. Simulated Profits (0.88%). Updated daily EoD!
The VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) offers focused exposure to small-cap companies within the gold and silver mining industry, providing high-beta access to the precious metals sector. Its primary strength lies in its liquidity and comprehensive coverage of junior miners, making it a preferred tool for investors looking for leveraged exposure to commodity bull markets. The fund is best used as a tactical satellite holding rather than a core portfolio component due to its high volatility and concentration risks. Investors should monitor gold spot prices, mining M&A activity, and interest rate trends as key indicators. It is most appropriate for growth-focused investors who can withstand significant market drawdowns.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | Junior miners offer high growth potential if exploration projects succeed or gold prices surge. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The fund often exhibits strong price trends during precious metal bull markets. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | While assets may appear cheap, junior miners often lack consistent earnings and carry significant operational risk. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | Junior gold miners rarely pay significant dividends as they prioritize capital reinvestment. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | This fund is highly volatile and unsuitable for those seeking capital preservation. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Investors seeking high-beta exposure to the gold sector and those comfortable with high risk and high volatility.
Suitability
Best suited for growth-oriented investors or active traders looking to express a directional view on gold prices.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | High | Junior mining stocks fluctuate wildly based on commodity price changes and exploration results. |
| Market risk | High | The fund is directly tied to the performance of the global gold mining sector. |
| Concentration | Medium / high | Exposure is concentrated within a specific commodity sector and market capitalization range. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | The fund has a reasonable expense ratio and efficient tracking of its index. |
| Liquidity | Medium | While the ETF is liquid, the underlying small-cap stocks can occasionally experience liquidity constraints. |
| Business/sector quality | High | Junior miners are often pre-revenue or exploration-stage, increasing business failure risk. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
GDXJ exhibits high beta relative to the broader equity market, characterized by sharp price swings.
Market Risk
The fund is susceptible to systematic risks inherent in the precious metals mining industry and global commodity demand.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Gold Mining (Small-Cap) | 85 | This represents the core focus on junior gold miners which are sensitive to gold prices and exploration success. |
| Industry | Silver Mining (Small-Cap) | 10 | Exposure to silver mining companies provides diversification and additional leverage to precious metals markets. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 5 | A small cash buffer is maintained for liquidity management and daily operations. |
Price Behavior
Downtrend
The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.
Choppy
The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 36.07% | Avg. Invested days 43 | Today’s Advisory SELL |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | ETF Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/25/2026 |
ETF Fundamentals 
Source: EOD Historical Data • Updated Sep 27, 2026
Fund Basics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Fund Size (AUM) | $8.93B |
| Issuer | VanEck |
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% |
| Distribution Yield | 2.07% |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2009 |
Performance
| Period | Total Return |
|---|---|
| YTD | +6.44% |
| 1 Year | +31.70% |
| 3 Year | +55.95% |
| 5 Year | +27.46% |
| 10 Year | +12.02% |
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 1Y Volatility | 59.47% |
| 3Y Volatility | 43.43% |
| 3Y Sharpe Ratio | 1.13 |
Ratings
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Morningstar Rating | ★★★★★ |
| Sustainability Rating | 2 / 5 |
| Benchmark | MSCI ACWI NR USD |
Market Cap Distribution
| Cap Size | Weight |
|---|---|
| Mid Cap | 63.91% |
| Small Cap | 18.55% |
| Large Cap | 6.71% |
| Micro Cap | 3.95% |
Top Sectors
| Sector | Weight |
|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 100.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% |
Asset Allocation
Portfolio Characteristics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Portfolio P/E | 12.73x |
| Portfolio P/B | 2.15x |
| Portfolio P/S | 2.87x |
| Holdings Turnover | 20.0% |
Top Holdings
| Holding | Weight |
|---|---|
| Coeur Mining | 6.82% |
| Alamos Gold | 6.48% |
| Equinox Gold | 5.92% |
| Endeavour Mining | 5.56% |
| IAMGold | 5.09% |
Upturn AI Summary
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.
All company names, trademarks, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and logos does not imply endorsement by their respective owners.