The VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) charges a lower expense ratio of 0.51% and manages over 5 times the assets under management compared to the Global X – Silver Miners ETF (SIL). Both funds delivered triple-digit one-year returns, with GDX experiencing a milder five-year drawdown and stronger long-term growth.

Investors considering GDX and SIL may weigh cost, diversification, and historical risk-adjusted returns. GDX holds more companies, focusing on large-cap gold miners, while SIL concentrates on silver-focused miners. GDX has a larger size of $25.7 billion in assets under management compared to SIL’s $4.6 billion.

SIL and GDX both have a 1-year return of 151% as of 12-16-2025, but GDX has a lower dividend yield of 0.5% versus SIL’s 1%. GDX also has a lower max drawdown of -49.79% over five years compared to SIL’s -56.79%. In terms of growth over five years, GDX outperforms SIL with $2,379 compared to SIL’s $1,857.

GDX delivers exposure to the gold mining sector, holding 56 companies with a strong tilt toward large-cap names like Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd, Newmont Corp, and Barrick Mining Corp. SIL is a pure play on silver miners, with top holdings including Wheaton Precious, Pan American Silver Corp, and Coeur Mining Inc. SIL holds 39 stocks and may appeal to those seeking direct silver exposure.

The VanEck Gold Miners ETF stands out for its lower cost, larger size, and broader portfolio, while the Global X – Silver Miners ETF offers pure silver miner exposure with a higher yield. Both ETFs have outperformed the S&P 500 over the past year, making them attractive options in the precious metals sector.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Silver and Gold are On the Rise. Should Precious Metals ETF Investors Pick GDX or SIL?