Top 10 VanEck ETFs to Buy in 2025

VanEck offers a diverse range of ETFs, from gold-focused funds to niche market indices. This guide highlights the top 10 best-performing VanEck ETFs year-to-date, helping investors identify high-potential opportunities for 2025. The table below includes key details such as ETF names, ticker symbols, assets under management (AUM), asset class, and performance metrics. A price performance chart is also provided to compare the ETFs' historical returns and trends.

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Search Results (10)

ETF NameTickerExpense RatioAUMAsset Class52w Low/High30 Days1 MonthYTD3 YearALL Years
VanEck Gold Miners ETFGDX0.01 %$14.8BEquity 3.93 %59.13 %31.91 %2.79 %
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETFGDXJ0.01 %$5.4BEquity 1.56 %58.64 %32.17 %-0.52 %
VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETFNLR0.01 %$988.6MEquity 11.40 %48.70 %35.18 %3.78 %
VanEck Vietnam ETFVNM0.01 %$416.2MEquity 21.64 %43.47 %6.36 %-1.20 %
VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETFREMX0.01 %$255.2MEquity 37.40 %40.78 %-13.29 %-6.67 %
VanEck Africa Index ETFAFK0.01 %$44.5MEquity 9.11 %38.59 %10.46 %8.77 %
VanEck Brazil Small-Cap ETFBRF0.01 %$16.6MEquity -3.86 %31.63 %6.72 %5.50 %
VanEck Social Sentiment ETFBUZZ0.01 %$48MEquity 10.31 %30.27 %31.94 %7.92 %
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETFESPO0.01 %$298.5MEquity 0.17 %28.93 %30.49 %21.43 %
VanEck Digital Transformation ETFDAPP0.01 %$130.7MEquity 17.99 %27.35 %48.34 %-10.19 %

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Price Performance Chart

ETF Details

GDX - VanEck Gold Miners ETF

Inception: 2006-05-16VanEck

The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) is designed to provide investors with exposure to the largest gold mining companies worldwide. The fund tracks the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, which includes publicly traded companies involved in the mining of gold and, to a lesser extent, silver. These companies are primarily engaged in the exploration, production, and development of precious metals. GDX offers a diversified approach to investing in the gold mining sector, which can be more volatile than physical gold itself but also offers potential for higher returns during gold price rallies. The ETF is one of the most liquid and widely traded funds in the precious metals mining space, making it a popular choice for both institutional and retail investors.

GDXJ - VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF

Inception: 2009-11-10VanEck

The VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) provides investors with exposure to small- and mid-cap gold mining companies. The fund tracks the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, which includes companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from gold and/or silver mining. These junior miners are typically more leveraged to gold price movements compared to larger, more established mining firms, offering higher growth potential but also greater volatility. GDXJ is one of the most popular ETFs for gaining targeted exposure to the junior gold mining sector, with a diversified portfolio spanning multiple countries and mining operations.

NLR - VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF

Inception: 2007-08-13VanEck

The Global X Uranium ETF (NLR) provides investors with exposure to a broad range of companies involved in uranium mining and the production of nuclear components. This includes firms engaged in uranium mining, exploration, processing, and the manufacturing of nuclear fuel. NLR is designed to track the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index, which includes companies globally that derive a significant portion of their revenue from uranium or nuclear-related activities. The ETF offers a way to invest in the nuclear energy sector, which is often seen as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, with lower carbon emissions. NLR is suitable for investors looking to gain exposure to the uranium market and the broader nuclear energy industry.

VNM - VanEck Vietnam ETF

Inception: 2009-08-11VanEck

The VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM) provides investors with exposure to the Vietnamese equity market. The fund seeks to replicate the performance of the MVIS Vietnam Index, which tracks the performance of companies that are incorporated in Vietnam or generate at least 50% of their revenues in Vietnam. VNM offers a diversified portfolio across various sectors, including financials, real estate, consumer goods, and industrials, making it a comprehensive tool for gaining access to Vietnam's growing economy. Vietnam has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, driven by a young population, increasing foreign direct investment, and a rapidly expanding manufacturing sector. The ETF is designed for investors looking to capitalize on Vietnam's long-term economic potential.

REMX - VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF

Inception: 2010-10-27VanEck

The VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) provides targeted exposure to companies involved in the production, refining, and recycling of rare earth and strategic metals. These metals are critical components in various high-tech applications, including electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, consumer electronics, and defense technologies. REMX seeks to track the MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, which includes companies engaged in the mining, refining, and manufacturing of rare earth elements and other strategic metals. The ETF offers investors a way to gain exposure to this niche but increasingly important sector, which is essential for the global transition to cleaner energy and advanced technologies.

AFK - VanEck Africa Index ETF

Inception: 2008-07-10VanEck

The VanEck Africa Index ETF (AFK) seeks to replicate the performance of the MVIS GDP Africa Index, which tracks the performance of companies that are domiciled in Africa or generate the majority of their revenues in Africa. The fund provides exposure to a broad range of sectors, including financials, materials, and consumer goods, offering investors a way to participate in the economic growth of the African continent. AFK is designed for investors seeking diversified exposure to African markets, which are often underrepresented in global portfolios. The ETF includes companies from various African countries, such as South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco, providing a mix of developed and emerging market exposure.

BRF - VanEck Brazil Small-Cap ETF

Inception: 2009-05-12VanEck

The VanEck Brazil Small-Cap ETF (BRF) seeks to replicate the performance of the MVIS Brazil Small-Cap Index, which tracks the performance of small-cap companies domiciled in Brazil. The fund provides targeted exposure to the Brazilian small-cap equity market, offering investors access to domestic-oriented companies that may benefit from Brazil's economic growth. BRF holds a diversified portfolio of stocks across various sectors, including consumer discretionary, industrials, and financials. As a small-cap focused ETF, BRF may exhibit higher volatility compared to large-cap Brazilian ETFs but offers potential for higher growth. The fund is rebalanced quarterly to maintain alignment with its underlying index.

BUZZ - VanEck Social Sentiment ETF

Inception: 2021-03-02VanEck

The VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) seeks to track the performance of the BUZZ NextGen AI US Sentiment Leaders Index. This index utilizes artificial intelligence and natural language processing to analyze social media, news, and other online sources to identify stocks with positive investor sentiment. The ETF focuses on U.S. equities that exhibit strong social sentiment signals, aiming to capture stocks that are gaining traction among investors. BUZZ provides exposure to a dynamic portfolio of stocks that are trending positively in online discussions, offering a unique approach to equity investing based on crowd-sourced sentiment analysis.

ESPO - VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF

Inception: 2018-10-16VanEck

The VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to companies involved in video gaming, eSports, and related technologies. The fund seeks to track the performance of the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, which includes companies that generate at least 50% of their revenue from video gaming and eSports activities. ESPO offers a focused investment approach to the rapidly growing gaming industry, which encompasses game developers, hardware manufacturers, streaming platforms, and eSports organizations. The ETF is designed for investors seeking long-term growth potential through the expanding global gaming market, which benefits from increasing digitalization, technological advancements, and rising consumer engagement.

DAPP - VanEck Digital Transformation ETF

Inception: 2021-04-12VanEck

The VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (DAPP) seeks to track the performance of the MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index, which is designed to provide exposure to companies that are actively involved in the digital assets ecosystem. This includes firms engaged in digital asset mining, blockchain technology, digital asset exchanges, and other related services. DAPP offers investors a way to gain exposure to the growing digital asset industry through a diversified portfolio of publicly traded companies. The fund is designed for investors who believe in the long-term potential of blockchain technology and digital assets but prefer the relative stability of equities over direct cryptocurrency investments.

Sustainable & Thematic Investing

ETFs with investment strategies focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, as well as innovative themes shaping tomorrow.