iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) belongs to the Materials category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with MXI. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to MXI
MXI charges 0.46% annually. There are 9 ETFs in the Materials category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 0.08% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | MXI vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 0.09% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | MXI vs VAW | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.13% | 8.30B | Dec 1998 | MXI vs XLB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 0.29% | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | MXI vs PSCM | |
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 0.35% | 7.25M | Jul 2025 | MXI vs XLBI |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to MXI
MXI has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 35. There are 7 ETFs in the Materials category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 60.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 60 | 158.61M | Oct 2006 | MXI vs SLX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 56 | 2.16B | Jan 2012 | MXI vs PICK | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 50 | 375.65M | May 2007 | MXI vs FXZ | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 49 | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | MXI vs PSCM | |
| Sprott Critical Materials ETF | 47 | 563.27M | Feb 2023 | MXI vs SETM |
Top Performing MXI Alternatives (YTD)
MXI is at 9.37% YTD. There are 8 ETFs in the Materials category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 18.89%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 18.89% | 375.65M | May 2007 | MXI vs FXZ | |
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 17.03% | 158.61M | Oct 2006 | MXI vs SLX | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 16.36% | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | MXI vs PSCM | |
| WEBs Materials XLB Defined Volatility ETF | 15.59% | — | Jul 2025 | MXI vs DVXB | |
| iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF | 15.42% | 1.21B | Jun 2000 | MXI vs IYM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to MXI
MXI has 20.88% 1-year volatility. There are 8 ETFs in the Materials category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.94%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 13.94% | 7.25M | Jul 2025 | MXI vs XLBI | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 17.67% | 8.30B | Dec 1998 | MXI vs XLB | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 18.64% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | MXI vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 18.66% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | MXI vs VAW | |
| iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | 18.71% | 251.18M | Jun 2008 | MXI vs WOOD |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to MXI
MXI has a 1-year max drawdown of -16.18%. There are 7 ETFs in the Materials category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -12.32%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | -12.32% | 175.45M | Nov 2006 | MXI vs RSPM | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | -12.38% | 8.30B | Dec 1998 | MXI vs XLB | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | -12.75% | 375.65M | May 2007 | MXI vs FXZ | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | -13.42% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | MXI vs VAW | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | -13.48% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | MXI vs FMAT |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $894B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.92% | 97.69B | May 2020 | MXI vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -29.06% | 46.82B | Jan 2024 | MXI vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 93 | 84.03% | 47.60B | Jul 2001 | MXI vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 66 | 10.46% | 894.38B | May 2000 | MXI vs IVV | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 13 | -1.48% | 42.18B | Jul 2002 | MXI vs TLT | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 86 | 12.23% | 42.05B | Jun 2014 | MXI vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 27 | -19.03% | 28.37B | Apr 2006 | MXI vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 22 | -7.29% | 60.94B | Jan 2005 | MXI vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 69 | 19.72% | 83.34B | May 2000 | MXI vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 10.93% | 33.36B | Mar 2008 | MXI vs ACWI |
Often Compared With MXI
Investors most often compare MXI with GNR, SPY, XME. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare MXI with Any Fund or Stock
Compare MXI with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair MXI with funds that move differently
iShares Global Materials ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to MXI.
Explore MXI Diversifiers