ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
VanEck is known for offering specialized and thematic ETFs across diverse asset classes, including commodities, digital assets, and sector-specific investments. The firm's 22-fund lineup spans income-generating options, covered call strategies, and growth-focused equity funds, with popular tickers including GDX (gold miners), SMH (semiconductors), MOAT (competitive advantage stocks), and HODL (bitcoin). VanEck distinguishes itself through niche exposure areas such as digital assets, commodities, and thematic investing strategies, complemented by traditional bond and municipal bond offerings.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on GDX.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on GLD.
Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses.
Asset class
Commodity
Commodity
Inception date
05/16/2006
11/18/2004
Beta
0.81
0.41
Last dividend
$0.6330
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Ex-dividend date
12/22/2025
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Bottom lineChoose GDX if you want higher current income (0.85% while GLD makes no distribution). Choose GLD if you want a non-correlated hedge against inflation and market stress.
Most used
Income calculator
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
GDX has outpaced GLD over the trailing twelve months, posting a 43.80% total return against 20.82%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — GLD has compounded at 11.23% a year, ahead of GDX at 10.52%. GLD has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 20.8% against 38.7% for GDX. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 14, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since May 2006” measures every fund from May 22, 2006 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Quick verdict
GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.
GDX currently shows a 0.85% distribution yield. GLD has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.
GLD is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.40% compared to 0.51%.
They track different benchmarks: GDX is linked to NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index while GLD tracks Gold bullion spot price, which means their performance drivers differ.
GLD is the larger fund by assets ($136B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose GDX
VanEck Gold Miners ETF
Want higher current income — GDX yields 0.85% while GLD makes no distribution.
Want a non-correlated hedge against inflation and equity stress.
Choose GLD
SPDR Gold Shares
Want a non-correlated hedge against inflation and equity stress.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.40% expense ratio vs 0.51% for GDX.
Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.4 vs 0.8 for GDX.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, GDX would generate roughly $7.08/month, while GLD has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.
GDX yield0.85%
GLD yield0.00%
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, GDX would cost approximately $510 in fees vs $400 for GLD (simplified, not compounded). The $110.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
GDX ER0.51%
GLD ER0.40%
Strategy & risk
GDX tracks NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index with a metals approach, while GLD tracks Gold bullion spot price with a metals approach. Beta is 0.81 for GDX and 0.41 for GLD, indicating GLD is less volatile relative to the market.
GDX beta0.81
GLD beta0.41
Fund details
GDX is managed by VanEck (launched 05/16/2006) with $24.1B in assets. GLD is managed by State Street (launched 11/18/2004) with $136B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Which of GDX or GLD pays more dividend income?
GDX currently reports a distribution yield, while GLD has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.
What is the difference between GDX and GLD?
GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) tracks NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index with a metals approach, while GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) tracks Gold bullion spot price with a metals approach. They are issued by VanEck and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both GDX and GLD?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, GDX or GLD?
GDX has an expense ratio of 0.51% while GLD charges 0.40%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in GDX vs GLD generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in GDX would generate roughly $7.08 per month ($85.00 annually). GLD has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available.
Which has performed better historically, GDX or GLD?
GDX has outpaced GLD over the trailing twelve months, posting a 43.80% total return against 20.82%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — GLD has compounded at 11.23% a year, ahead of GDX at 10.52%. GLD has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 20.8% against 38.7% for GDX. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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