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GDX ETF — VanEck Gold Miners ETF
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX)
Updated October 16, 2026.
Verdict as of October 19, 2026
GDX's distribution is rated safe by the Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ (87/100, medium confidence). It pays annual and its distribution rate is 0.72%. The latest total cash payment per current share, $0.633 with an ex-date of December 22, 2025, was 57.1% higher than the previous $0.403. It is not yet confirmed whether this is an increase in the regular payout or a one-off difference.
Sources: VanEck page for GDX, Section 19a-1 notices, scoring methodology.
GDX is an ETF that tracks the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. its distribution rate is 0.72%, its trailing-12-month yield is 0.72%, its expense ratio is 0.51%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 87/100 (Safe). Total return is 177.6% over the past 20.4 years, 602.4 points behind SPY at 780.0%.
VanEck Gold Miners ETF is an ETF that tracks a modified capitalization-weighted index of publicly traded gold and silver mining companies, holding at least 80% of its assets in index constituents. The fund offers a modest current distribution rate with annual distributions and carries an expense ratio of 0.51%. It appeals to investors seeking commodity exposure through equity positions in mining operations rather than direct precious metals ownership.
GDX dividend yield and income
Price as of 2026-10-16.
The distribution rate (0.72%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Trailing-12-month yield (0.72%) is the last year of cash distributions by ex-date divided by the current price. The dividend amount is $0.633. The ex-dividend date is 12/22/2025. The payment date is 12/26/2025.
| Ex-date | Amount | Change from previous payment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-22 | $0.633 | 57.1% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2024-12-23 | $0.403 | -19.4% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2023-12-18 | $0.5 | 5.0% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2022-12-19 | $0.476 | -11.0% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2021-12-20 | $0.535 | 181.6% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2020-12-21 | $0.19 | -0.5% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2019-12-23 | $0.191 | 81.9% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2018-12-20 | $0.105 | -40.3% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2017-12-18 | $0.176 | 220.0% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2016-12-19 | $0.055 | -52.6% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2015-12-21 | $0.116 | -4.1% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2014-12-22 | $0.121 | -36.6% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2013-12-23 | $0.191 | -58.7% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2012-12-24 | $0.462 | 208.0% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2011-12-23 | $0.15 | -62.6% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2010-12-23 | $0.401 | 261.3% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2009-12-23 | $0.111 | -85.1% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2007-12-24 | $0.745 | 547.8% Total cash (unclassified) |
| 2006-12-21 | $0.115 | — |
| 2006 total (partial launch year) | $0.115 | — |
| 2007 total | $0.745 | — |
| 2009 total | $0.111 | -85.1% |
| 2010 total | $0.401 | 261.3% |
| 2011 total | $0.15 | -62.6% |
| 2012 total | $0.462 | 208.0% |
| 2013 total | $0.191 | -58.7% |
| 2014 total | $0.121 | -36.6% |
| 2015 total | $0.116 | -4.1% |
| 2016 total | $0.055 | -52.6% |
| 2017 total | $0.176 | 220.0% |
| 2018 total | $0.105 | -40.3% |
| 2019 total | $0.191 | 81.9% |
| 2020 total | $0.19 | -0.5% |
| 2021 total | $0.535 | 181.6% |
| 2022 total | $0.476 | -11.0% |
| 2023 total | $0.5 | 5.0% |
| 2024 total | $0.403 | -19.4% |
| 2025 total | $0.633 | 57.1% |
GDX dividend growth
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed +57.1%. The 1Y row below uses this same adjacent TTM cash-window comparison.
| Window | Change |
|---|---|
| 1Y | +57.1% |
| 3Y | 33.0% |
| 5Y | 233.2% |
| 10Y | 445.7% |
GDX holdings and sector exposure
Holdings are not available for this snapshot.
GDX performance versus SPY
Price and return data through 2026-10-16.
Total return is 177.6% over the past 20.4 years, 602.4 points behind SPY at 780.0%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 4.6%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 38.9%.
| Window | Total return | CAGR |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -5.5% | — |
| 3M | 22.8% | — |
| 6M | -10.2% | — |
| YTD | 2.3% | — |
| 1Y | 4.6% | — |
| 2Y CAGR | — | 47.70% |
| 3Y CAGR | — | 46.30% |
| 5Y CAGR | — | 23.60% |
| 10Y CAGR | — | 15.40% |
| Since inception (20.4 years) | 177.6% | 5.10% |
GDX key facts
- Distribution Safety Score™
- 87 · Safe
- Safety-Adjusted Yield
- 0.63%
- Issuer
- VanEck
- Asset type
- ETF
- Asset class
- Commodity
- Inception date
- 05/16/2006
- Expense ratio
- 0.51%
- Distribution rate
- 0.72%
- Distribution frequency
- Annual
- Trailing yield
- 0.72%
- Last close
- $87.71 (as of 2026-10-16)
- AUM
- $26,756,657,905
- Average volume
- 19098200.0
- Dividend
- $0.633
- Ex-dividend date
- 12/22/2025
- Payment date
- 12/26/2025
- Beta
- 0.81
How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns
Distribution rate (0.72%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (0.72%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.
Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology
Sources and review
Primary sources: VanEck or company page; Index: NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.
Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.
GDX risks and drawbacks
GDX's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 38.9%.
Who may consider GDX — and who may not
GDX may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (GDX pays annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.
More on GDX
Compare GDX
GDX vs similar funds:
Frequently asked questions
Does GDX pay monthly?
No. GDX currently pays annual, not monthly.
What index does GDX track?
GDX tracks the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index.
What is GDX's expense ratio?
GDX's expense ratio is 0.51%.
What is GDX's dividend yield?
GDX's distribution rate is 0.72%, paid annual, with a 0.51% expense ratio — calculation basis unavailable.
How has GDX's dividend grown?
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed +57.1%. That is the same adjacent TTM cash-window comparison used in the dividend-history table.
When does GDX pay a dividend?
GDX pays annual. The dividend amount is $0.633. The ex-dividend date is 12/22/2025. The payment date is 12/26/2025.
How has GDX performed?
Total return is 177.6% over the past 20.4 years, 602.4 points behind SPY at 780.0%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 4.6%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 38.9%.
Is GDX a good investment?
GDX's Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score is 87 (Safe). That is a risk signal, not investment advice. Its distribution rate is 0.72% (calculation basis unavailable). Compare peers below rather than treating any single figure as a buy or sell.
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