What do the expense ratios of GDX and XME mean for my investment?

Expense ratios represent the annual fee each fund charges. GDX has a ratio of 0.51%, while XME's is lower at 0.35%. This means GDX costs 0.16 percentage points more to hold each year. Over time, this difference accumulates, potentially impacting net returns. Investors should understand that higher costs directly reduce the overall return on investment, making cost efficiency a key consideration when comparing similar ETFs like GDX and XME.

What is the difference between a sector and a commodity in these ETFs?

The ETFs' categories differ significantly. GDX is classified under 'Equity Precious Metals', focusing on companies mining precious metals like gold. XME falls under 'Natural Resources', covering a broader range of metals including industrial ones. Understanding this distinction is crucial as it highlights that GDX targets specific precious metal producers, while XME offers wider exposure across the entire mining and metals sector, influencing their respective risk and return profiles.

How do inception dates and track records of GDX and XME compare?

GDX and XME were both launched in 2006, with GDX starting in May and XME in June. This provides a similar track record spanning nearly two decades. A long history allows investors to evaluate performance across various market cycles. However, having comparable inception dates does not guarantee similar outcomes, as their distinct strategies and holdings significantly influence how they react to different economic conditions over time.

Are the top holdings of GDX and XME identical?

No, the top holdings are not identical. GDX's largest positions include NEM (10.91%), AU (5.02%), and CDE (2.29%). In contrast, XME's top holdings feature CLF (5.16%), RS (5.03%), and NEM (4.94%). While both funds share some holdings like NEM, CDE, and RGLD, XME includes industrial metals producers like CLF and STLD, whereas GDX focuses on gold miners like AU and EQX, highlighting their distinct exposure strategies.

What does the 'index tracked' say about these funds?

Currently, the specific indexes tracked by both GDX and XME are listed as 'not available'. This means we cannot precisely analyse their tracking mechanisms or methodologies through public data. For investors, understanding what an ETF tracks is critical as it dictates its portfolio construction. The lack of this information underscores the importance of relying on available holdings and performance history when assessing these particular exchange-traded funds.

Can you compare the dividends paid by GDX and XME?

GDX currently offers a dividend yield of 0.66%, while XME provides 0.32%. This makes GDX's yield higher, providing more income from its holdings. Both ETFs distribute dividends based on their underlying companies' payouts. These distributions are not guaranteed and vary. A higher yield in GDX suggests stronger dividend contributions from its concentrated gold mining companies compared to the broader industrial mix in XME, potentially appealing to income-oriented investors.

How do the net assets of GDX and XME affect them?

GDX's net assets are $28.4 billion, considerably larger than XME's $4.4 billion. This substantial size difference impacts liquidity and trading. Larger funds often have tighter bid-ask spreads and can absorb bigger trades without significant price impacts, benefiting traders. Investors should consider these differences, as liquidity levels influence the ease and cost-effectiveness of entering or exiting positions in either ETF.

How do I choose between GDX and XME based on investing goals?

Choosing between GDX and XME depends on your investment objectives. GDX, focused on 'Equity Precious Metals', may suit those seeking targeted gold exposure and its potential safe-haven qualities. XME, covering 'Natural Resources' with industrial metals, might align better with bets on broader economic cycles, such as industrial growth. Investors should reflect on their market views and risk tolerance. It is crucial to consider each fund's structure and composition alongside personal goals. This content is educational and not financial advice; please consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions.

GDX vs XME

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare Gold Miners Market Vectors ETF (GDX) and S&P Metals and Mining SPDR ETF (XME) on fees, holdings, dividends and how each tracks its market. This page uses current data from Yahoo Finance to help you understand key differences. Educational content, not financial advice.

Compare Gold Miners Market Vectors ETF (GDX) and S&P Metals and Mining SPDR ETF (XME) on fees, holdings, dividends and how each tracks its market. This page uses current data from Yahoo Finance to hel...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

GDX

Metric

XME

0.51%

Expense Ratio

0.35%

0.66%

Dividend Yield

0.32%

$28.42B

Net Assets

$4.40B

62

Holdings

39

May 22, 2006

Inception Date

Jun 19, 2006

–

Index Tracked

–

Equity Precious Metals

Fund Category

Natural Resources

XME costs about $16.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	GDX	XME
NEMNewmont Corporation	10.91%	4.94%
CDECoeur Mining, Inc.	2.29%	4.80%
RGLDRoyal Gold, Inc.	1.93%	4.92%

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GDX vs RING

Compare GDX and RING ETFs. Review expenses, assets, dividends, holdings, and tracking details to understand key differences between these gold miners.

GDX vs SGDM

Compare GDX and SGDM on fees, holdings, dividends and tracking. GDX costs 0.51%, SGDM 0.46%. Top holdings include NEM and AU. Index data not available.

Investment Analysis

GDX

Pros

GDX has a large asset base of $28.4 billion, which typically supports tight bid-ask spreads and high liquidity for traders.
The fund's dividend yield of 0.66% provides a modest income stream, notably higher than comparable mining ETFs like XME.
Incorporated in 2006, GDX has a long track record, offering investors significant historical data to evaluate its performance.

Considerations

The expense ratio of 0.51% is relatively high, eroding returns more significantly than lower-cost alternatives in the same category.
GDX tracks an index not available for public review, limiting transparency regarding its specific methodology and constituent selection criteria.
The sector weights are not available, preventing investors from assessing concentration risks within specific gold mining sub-sectors or regions.

XME

Pros

XME offers a lower expense ratio of 0.35%, making it a more cost-efficient vehicle for gaining exposure to the metals sector.
The fund provides broader diversification beyond gold, including holdings in steel and copper, which can hedge against specific precious metal declines.
Inception in 2006 grants XME a similar long-term track record to GDX, facilitating comparative performance analysis over multiple market cycles.

Considerations

XME's smaller net assets of $4.4 billion may result in slightly lower liquidity compared to the much larger GDX fund.
The dividend yield of 0.32% is lower than GDX, potentially making it less attractive for income-focused investors seeking cash flow.
Like GDX, XME's index methodology and sector weights are not available, creating uncertainty about its precise exposure and tracking mechanisms.

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About GDX and XME

GDX (GDX)

GDX (Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF) gives investors broad exposure to publicly listed companies engaged in gold mining and related activities. As an ETF, it tracks an index of gold miner equities rather than the metal itself, so its performance reflects miners’ share prices, production profiles, costs and sensitivity to gold prices. GDX can offer a convenient way to gain sector exposure, diversification across many miners, and liquidity via an exchange-traded structure, but it also concentrates on a single commodity-linked industry which can be volatile. Factors investors should monitor include the gold price, miners’ operational costs, geopolitical risks in mining regions, and changes in interest rates that influence gold demand. This information is for educational purposes only and is not personal financial advice; values can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a guide to the future. Suitability depends on individual circumstances and risk tolerance.

XME (XME)

S&P Metals and Mining SPDR ETF (XME) provides targeted exposure to US-listed companies in the metals and mining sector by tracking the S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index. The ETF concentrates on firms involved in steel, aluminium, diversified mining, and related equipment and services, making it sensitive to commodity prices, industrial demand and global growth cycles. Investors use XME to express a sector-specific view or to complement broader commodity or materials holdings, but it is typically more volatile than broad-market ETFs because of concentration and cyclical drivers. Important practical considerations include the ETF’s expense ratio, liquidity, holdings concentration and dividend policies. As with any sector play, returns can be uneven and past performance does not predict future results. This summary is educational only and not personal investment advice — suitability depends on individual goals, risk tolerance and time horizon; consult a qualified adviser if unsure.

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Fund Snapshot