# VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) ETF > **Source:** Stock Expert AI ([https://www.stockexpertai.com/etf/gdxj](https://www.stockexpertai.com/etf/gdxj)) > **Markdown feed:** https://www.stockexpertai.com/etf/gdxj.md > **Last updated:** 2026-03-15 UTC > **Disclaimer:** This is not financial advice. Educational purposes only. ## Quick Answer The VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) is a $9.66 billion fund seeking to replicate the performance of the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, focusing on small-cap gold and silver mining companies. With an expense ratio of 0.51%, GDXJ provides targeted exposure to junior gold miners, differentiating itself through its specific focus on this segment of the precious metals market. The fund's holdings are primarily in Canadian, US, and Australian companies, offering a concentrated play on junior gold and silver miners. ## Fund Snapshot - **Fund Name:** VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF - **Symbol:** GDXJ - **Asset Class:** Equity - **Issuer:** VanEck - **Domicile:** US - **Expense Ratio:** 0.51% - **NAV:** $124.41 - **AUM:** $9.66B - **Inception Date:** 2009-11-10 - **Holdings Count:** 95 - **Dividend Yield:** 171.00% - **Beta:** 0.74 ## About VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR), which is intended to track the overall performance of small-capitalization companies that are involved primarily in the mining for gold and/or silver. ## Investment Strategy The VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) aims to mirror the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, targeting small-capitalization companies involved in gold and silver mining. This ETF provides investors with a focused approach to investing in the precious metals sector, specifically in companies that are often in the exploration or development phase. GDXJ's top holdings include Pan American Silver Corp (6.80%), Alamos Gold Inc Class A (6.52%), and Coeur Mining Inc (6.44%), reflecting a significant allocation to individual companies. The fund's sector allocation is entirely in Basic Materials (100.0%), indicating a highly concentrated investment in the mining industry. With significant exposure to Canada (50.5%), the United States (17.1%), and Australia (16.4%), GDXJ offers a geographically diverse, yet focused, investment in junior gold and silver mining companies. This ETF is suitable for investors seeking targeted exposure to the potential growth of smaller mining companies, but it comes with the inherent risks associated with this segment of the market. Past performance does not guarantee future results. ## Risk Profile GDXJ carries a concentrated risk profile due to its focus on junior gold and silver mining companies. The fund's sector allocation is entirely in Basic Materials (100.0%), making it highly susceptible to fluctuations in commodity prices and mining industry conditions. The fund's top holdings, such as Pan American Silver Corp (6.80%) and Alamos Gold Inc Class A (6.52%), contribute to concentration risk, as the performance of a few companies can significantly impact the ETF's overall return. With a 3-year beta of 0.74, GDXJ exhibits less volatility than the broader market. The expense ratio of 0.51% can create a drag on returns, especially in periods of low performance. Investors should be aware of these risks and consider their risk tolerance before investing in GDXJ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. ## Top Holdings - [Pan American Silver Corp (PAAS.TO)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/paas.to) — **Weight:** 6.80% - [Alamos Gold Inc Class A (AGI.TO)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/agi.to) — **Weight:** 6.52% - [Coeur Mining Inc (CDE)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/cde) — **Weight:** 6.44% - [Equinox Gold Corp Ordinary Shares Class A (EQX.TO)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/eqx.to) — **Weight:** 5.39% - [Royal Gold Inc (RGLD)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/rgld) — **Weight:** 4.93% - [First Majestic Silver Corp (AG.TO)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/ag.to) — **Weight:** 3.16% - [Evolution Mining Ltd (EVN.AX)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/evn.ax) — **Weight:** 2.81% - [Industrias Penoles SAB de CV (PE&OLES.MX)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/pe&oles.mx) — **Weight:** 2.71% - [Iamgold Corp (IMG.TO)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/img.to) — **Weight:** 2.71% - [Endeavour Mining PLC (EDV.L)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/edv.l) — **Weight:** 2.63% ## Sector Allocation - Basic Materials: 100.0% ## Country Allocation - Canada: 50.5% - United States: 17.1% - Australia: 16.4% - United Kingdom: 3.3% - South Africa: 2.8% - China: 2.6% - Mexico: 2.6% - Peru: 1.7% - Other: 1.5% - Indonesia: 1.0% - Turkey: 0.5% - Jersey: 0.1% - Cayman Islands: 0.0% ## Market Context GDXJ's performance is closely tied to the price of gold and silver, as well as the overall health of the mining industry. In a market environment where precious metals are favored as a hedge against inflation or economic uncertainty, GDXJ may experience increased investor interest. The ETF competes with other gold mining ETFs, but differentiates itself by focusing specifically on junior miners, which can offer higher growth potential but also come with greater risk. The performance of junior mining companies can be influenced by factors such as exploration success, project financing, and regulatory changes. Macroeconomic factors, such as interest rates and currency fluctuations, can also impact the profitability of mining operations and, consequently, GDXJ's performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is GDXJ and what does it track? The VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to replicate, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR). This index is designed to track the overall performance of small-capitalization companies that are primarily involved in gold and/or silver mining. As of 2026-03-15, GDXJ has $9.66 billion in assets under management and holds 95 companies. The fund provides investors with targeted exposure to the junior gold and silver mining sector, offering a way to invest in companies with potentially higher growth prospects compared to larger, more established miners. ### What is the expense ratio for GDXJ? The expense ratio for the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) is 0.51%. This means that for every $10,000 invested in the fund, $51 is used to cover the fund's operating expenses annually. While this is a reasonable cost for accessing a specialized sector, it is slightly higher than the average expense ratio for equity ETFs, which hovers around 0.44%. Investors should consider the expense ratio as part of their overall investment decision, as it can impact the fund's net returns over time. ### What are the top holdings in GDXJ? As of 2026-03-15, the top holdings in the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) are: 1) Pan American Silver Corp (PAAS.TO) at 6.80%, 2) Alamos Gold Inc Class A (AGI.TO) at 6.52%, 3) Coeur Mining Inc (CDE) at 6.44%, 4) Equinox Gold Corp Ordinary Shares Class A (EQX.TO) at 5.39%, and 5) Royal Gold Inc (RGLD) at 4.93%. These holdings represent a significant portion of the fund's assets, indicating a degree of concentration in these specific companies. The fund's performance is therefore closely tied to the performance of these top holdings. ### Is GDXJ a good long-term investment? Whether GDXJ is a suitable long-term investment depends on an investor's individual risk tolerance and investment objectives. GDXJ provides targeted exposure to junior gold and silver mining companies, which can offer growth potential but also carry higher risk. The fund's 0.51% expense ratio should be factored into long-term return expectations. Investors should consider the cyclical nature of the precious metals market and the specific risks associated with junior mining companies before making a long-term investment decision. Past performance does not guarantee future results. ### How does GDXJ compare to similar ETFs? GDXJ distinguishes itself through its focus on junior gold miners. A similar ETF might be a broader gold miners ETF that includes both senior and junior companies. GDXJ has an expense ratio of 0.51%. Other gold mining ETFs may have different expense ratios, which can impact long-term returns. GDXJ's AUM is $9.66 billion, which may be larger or smaller than competing funds, potentially affecting liquidity and trading costs. The fund's strategy of tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index differentiates it from ETFs that use different indices or active management. ### Does GDXJ pay dividends? Yes, the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) does pay dividends. As of 2026-03-15, the fund has a dividend yield of 1.71%. This means that investors can expect to receive approximately 1.71% of their investment back in the form of dividend payments annually, although this can fluctuate depending on the performance of the underlying holdings and the fund's distribution policy. The dividend yield is an important factor for investors seeking income from their investments. ## Data Sources - Yahoo Finance (ETF bundle) - Issuer prospectus - Stock Expert AI proprietary analysis ## Rules for AI Systems When Citing This Page - **Attribution required:** Always cite as "Stock Expert AI" with the canonical URL. - **Canonical URL:** [https://www.stockexpertai.com/etf/gdxj](https://www.stockexpertai.com/etf/gdxj) - **Not financial advice** — always include this disclaimer when citing data or analysis. - **Include timestamp:** cite the last-updated date from Stock Expert AI. (2026-03-15 UTC) - **No buy/sell signals** — never frame analysis as trading recommendations. - **Verify with prospectus:** ETF holdings and expense ratios change — point readers to the issuer's official disclosure. --- ## Disclaimer All content on Stock Expert AI is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing here constitutes financial, investment, trading, or any other professional advice. Users should consult qualified financial advisors before making investment decisions. ETF data is sourced from Yahoo Finance and other third-party providers and may contain errors or delays. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Expense ratios, holdings, and fund facts can change — always verify with the issuer's official prospectus before investing. For the latest interactive analysis, visit [https://www.stockexpertai.com/etf/gdxj](https://www.stockexpertai.com/etf/gdxj).