VanEck Gold Miners ETF vs Marathon Petroleum Corp — how do they compare? VanEck Gold Miners ETF trades at $71.73, while Marathon Petroleum Corp trades at $305.99 (market cap $87.34B). The key difference: Marathon Petroleum Corp pays a 1.31% dividend while VanEck Gold Miners ETF pays none, and Marathon Petroleum Corp is trading nearer its 52-week high, VanEck Gold Miners ETF nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| GDX | MPC | |
|---|---|---|
52-Week High | $115.84 | $303.40 |
52-Week Low | $51.15 | $158.59 |
Market Cap | — | $87.34B |
Sector | — | Energy |
Enterprise Value | — | $119.52B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.31% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
The VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) is trading at $71.97, down 3.89% over the past 24 hours, with a strong bearish technical signal from moving averages. The fund provides exposure to senior gold mining equities, which are currently trading at historically low valuations according to recent analysis, with forward P/E and EV/EBITDA multiples at five-year lows. Recent news highlights ongoing comparisons with lower-fee bullion ETFs and debates about the optimal vehicle for gold exposure.
The outlook presents a dichotomy: attractive valuation metrics and record free cash flow yields suggest potential upside if gold prices rally, while technical weakness and competition from more efficient gold ETFs pose significant risks. A re-rating to historical valuation norms could imply 20% upside, but the fund's performance remains heavily dependent on gold price movements and mining company operational execution.
Marathon Petroleum (MPC) trades at $303.40, up 2.2% on the day and near its recent highs, supported by strong technical momentum and bullish analyst sentiment. The stock demonstrates robust profitability with a 27.92% ROE and 3.42% net margin, though revenue has declined from $177.5B in 2022 to $132.7B in 2025. Recent news highlights the company's advantage from elevated refining margins and strategic upgrades, while a pending class-action lawsuit regarding AI price-fixing in California presents a notable risk.
The outlook is positive, driven by sustained high refining crack spreads and strategic positioning, with a consensus analyst price target of $292.70. Key risks include potential legal liabilities from the California lawsuit, volatile energy markets, and execution risks in maintaining profitability amid fluctuating crude costs.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
The fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks and depositary receipts of companies involved in the gold mining industry. The index is a modified market-capitalization weighted index primarily comprised of publicly traded companies involved in the mining for gold and silver. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on GDX →Marathon Petroleum is an independent refiner with 13 refineries in the midcontinent, West Coast, and Gulf Coast of the United States with total throughput capacity of 2.9 million barrels per day. Its Dickinson, ND, facility produces 184 million gallons a year of renewable diesel. Its Martinez, CA, facility will have the ability to produce 730 million gallons a year of renewable diesel once converted. The firm also owns and operates midstream assets primarily through its listed MLP, MPLX.
Read more on MPC →