GDXJ ETF — VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ)
GDXJ is an ETF. As of August 28, 2026, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.06%, its expense ratio is 0.52%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 57/100 (Caution). Fund total return is 79.2% over the past 16.8 years, 761.8 points behind SPY at 841.0%.
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF tracks an index of junior gold and silver mining companies, as well as mining royalty and streaming businesses, selecting firms that derive at least 50% of revenues from these metals or have development-stage projects expected to do so. The fund carries a modest expense ratio of 0.52% and distributes annually at a low rate. It appeals to investors seeking exposure to smaller-cap precious metals miners rather than established large-cap gold producers.
GDXJ dividend yield and income
Data as of August 28, 2026.
Trailing-12-month yield (2.06%) is the last year of payments divided by the current price. The last ex-dividend date was 12/22/2025. It was paid on 12/26/2025.
| Ex-date | Amount | vs year-ago payment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-22 | $2.649 | 137.8% |
| 2024-12-23 | $1.114 | 306.6% |
| 2023-12-18 | $0.274 | 49.7% |
| 2022-12-19 | $0.183 | -75.4% |
| 2021-12-20 | $0.745 | -12.9% |
| 2020-12-21 | $0.855 | 421.3% |
| 2019-12-23 | $0.164 | 20.6% |
| 2018-12-20 | $0.136 | 1136.4% |
| 2017-12-18 | $0.011 | -99.3% |
| 2016-12-19 | $1.507 | 984.2% |
| 2015-12-21 | $0.139 | -21.9% |
| 2014-12-22 | $0.178 | — |
| 2012-12-24 | $3 | -52.7% |
| 2011-12-23 | $6.344 | -45.9% |
| 2010-12-23 | $11.716 | — |
| 2010 total | $11.716 | — |
| 2011 total | $6.344 | -45.9% |
| 2012 total | $3 | -52.7% |
| 2014 total | $0.178 | -94.1% |
| 2015 total | $0.139 | -21.9% |
| 2016 total | $1.507 | 984.2% |
| 2017 total | $0.011 | -99.3% |
| 2018 total | $0.136 | 1136.4% |
| 2019 total | $0.164 | 20.6% |
| 2020 total | $0.855 | 421.3% |
| 2021 total | $0.745 | -12.9% |
| 2022 total | $0.183 | -75.4% |
| 2023 total | $0.274 | 49.7% |
| 2024 total | $1.114 | 306.6% |
| 2025 total | $2.649 | 137.8% |
GDXJ dividend growth
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed 49.53%. That is the seasonality-immune income comparison, not a single quarterly check versus the prior quarter. The deepest trailing-12-month payout decline in the past five years is -63.22%.
| Window | Change |
|---|---|
| 3Y | 107.3% |
| 5Y | 85.7% |
| 10Y | -64.3% |
GDXJ performance versus SPY
Data as of August 28, 2026.
Fund total return is 79.2% over the past 16.8 years, 761.8 points behind SPY at 841.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 41.3%.
| Window | Total return | CAGR |
|---|---|---|
| Since inception (16.8 years) | 79.2% | 3.50% |
| 3Y CAGR | — | 56.30% |
| 5Y CAGR | — | 26.50% |
| 10Y CAGR | — | 12.80% |
GDXJ key facts
Data as of August 28, 2026.
- Distribution Safety Score™
- 57 · Caution
- Safety-Adjusted Yield
- 1.17%
- Issuer
- VanEck
- Asset type
- ETF
- Asset class
- Equity
- Inception date
- 11/10/2009
- Expense ratio
- 0.52%
- Distribution frequency
- Annual
- Trailing yield
- 2.06%
- Last close
- $128.80
- AUM
- $9,950,936,537
- Average volume
- 7111522.0
- Ex-dividend date
- 12/22/2025
- Payment date
- 12/26/2025
- Beta
- 0.98
- P/E ratio
- 17.1855
How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns
Distribution rate (the posted rate) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (2.06%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 28, 2026.
Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield
Sources and review
Data as of August 28, 2026.
Primary sources: VanEck; 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.
GDXJ risks and drawbacks
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 41.3%.
Who may consider GDXJ — and who may not
It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (GDXJ 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.
Frequently asked questions
Does GDXJ pay monthly?
No. GDXJ currently pays annual, not monthly.
What is GDXJ's expense ratio?
GDXJ's expense ratio is 0.52%.
How has GDXJ's dividend grown?
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed 49.53%. That is not a single quarter versus the prior quarter.
When does GDXJ pay a dividend?
GDXJ pays annual. The last ex-dividend date was 12/22/2025. It was paid on 12/26/2025.
How has GDXJ performed?
Fund total return is 79.2% over the past 16.8 years, 761.8 points behind SPY at 841.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 41.3%.
Is GDXJ a good investment?
GDXJ's Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score is 57 (Caution). That is a risk signal, not investment advice. Compare peers below rather than treating any single figure as a buy or sell.
More funds from VanEck.
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