VanEck Gold Miners ETF vs Prospect Capital Corporation — how do they compare? VanEck Gold Miners ETF trades at $71.98, while Prospect Capital Corporation trades at $2.27 (market cap $1.14B). The key difference: Prospect Capital Corporation pays a 22.03% dividend while VanEck Gold Miners ETF pays none, and VanEck Gold Miners ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Prospect Capital Corporation nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| GDX | PSEC | |
|---|---|---|
52-Week High | $115.84 | $3.47 |
52-Week Low | $51.15 | $2.15 |
Market Cap | — | $1.14B |
Sector | — | Financials |
Dividend Yield | — | 22.03% |
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.
Prospect Capital Corporation (PSEC) trades at $2.27, showing modest daily gains of 0.89%. The stock presents a mixed picture with a deeply discounted price-to-book ratio of 0.39 and consistent recent earnings beats, but faces significant fundamental challenges including negative revenue of -$407M for 2025 and a net income margin of -495.94%. Recent business activity includes the successful sale of Valley Electric for $328M and new investments in ShipOffers, while technical indicators signal a bearish trend with moving averages pointing downward.
The outlook for PSEC is cautious despite its attractive dividend yield and deep NAV discount. Investment opportunity exists in the substantial 59-63% discount to net asset value and 18%+ yield, but risks are elevated due to persistent negative revenue trends, declining NAV, dividend cuts, and mixed analyst sentiment with only 25% buy ratings. Shareholders face ongoing portfolio quality concerns and management execution challenges in a rising rate environment.
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 →Prospect Capital Corp is a closed-end investment company based in the United States. Its investment objective is to generate both current income and long-term capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. The company invests primarily in senior and subordinated debt and equity of private companies for acquisitions, divestitures, growth, development, recapitalizations, and other purposes. It makes investments, including lending in private equity, sponsored transactions, directly to companies, investments in structured credit, real estate, and syndicated debt.
Read more on PSEC →