VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX) 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 SLX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SLX
SLX charges 0.56% annually. There are 11 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% | 615.81M | Oct 2013 | SLX vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 0.09% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | SLX vs VAW | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.13% | 8.35B | Dec 1998 | SLX vs XLB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 0.29% | 21.33M | Apr 2010 | SLX vs PSCM | |
| SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | 0.35% | 4.90B | Jun 2006 | SLX vs XME |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SLX
SLX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 75. No ETFs in the Materials category have higher risk-adjusted ranks; the top alternatives shown here go as high as 74.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 74 | 21.33M | Apr 2010 | SLX vs PSCM | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 71 | 2.31B | Jan 2012 | SLX vs PICK | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 66 | 430.05M | May 2007 | SLX vs FXZ | |
| Sprott Critical Materials ETF | 61 | 636.44M | Feb 2023 | SLX vs SETM | |
| SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | 54 | 4.90B | Jun 2006 | SLX vs XME |
Top Performing SLX Alternatives (YTD)
SLX is at 19.94% YTD. There are 2 ETFs in the Materials category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 24.42%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 24.42% | 430.05M | May 2007 | SLX vs FXZ | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 23.80% | 21.33M | Apr 2010 | SLX vs PSCM | |
| iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF | 17.90% | 1.58B | Jun 2000 | SLX vs IYM | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 17.36% | 2.31B | Jan 2012 | SLX vs PICK | |
| WEBs Materials XLB Defined Volatility ETF | 16.95% | — | Jul 2025 | SLX vs DVXB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SLX
SLX has 25.19% 1-year volatility. There are 10 ETFs in the Materials category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 17.51%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 17.51% | 8.35B | Dec 1998 | SLX vs XLB | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 18.48% | 615.81M | Oct 2013 | SLX vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 18.50% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | SLX vs VAW | |
| Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF | 18.86% | 30.78M | Nov 2007 | SLX vs CUT | |
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | 18.87% | 187.82M | Nov 2006 | SLX vs RSPM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SLX
SLX has a 1-year max drawdown of -16.35%. There are 8 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% | 187.82M | Nov 2006 | SLX vs RSPM | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | -12.38% | 8.35B | Dec 1998 | SLX vs XLB | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | -12.75% | 430.05M | May 2007 | SLX vs FXZ | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | -13.42% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | SLX vs VAW | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | -13.48% | 615.81M | Oct 2013 | SLX vs FMAT |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include SMH, GDX, NLR and span 12 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $85B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 94 | 72.73% | 84.54B | Dec 2011 | SLX vs SMH | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -9.46% | 25.30B | May 2006 | SLX vs GDX | |
| VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | Uranium, Alternative Energy Equities | 15 | -1.45% | 4.66B | Aug 2007 | SLX vs NLR | |
| VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -11.62% | 7.89B | Nov 2009 | SLX vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 23 | -2.39% | 13.10B | Apr 2012 | SLX vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 87 | 64.32% | 361.77M | Aug 2024 | SLX vs SMHX | |
| VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | Rare Earth & Strategic Metals | 80 | 24.22% | 2.96B | Oct 2010 | SLX vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 4 | -9.87% | 1.55B | Feb 2013 | SLX vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -28.75% | 1.03B | Jan 2024 | SLX vs HODL | |
| VanEck IG Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.19% | 2.81B | Apr 2011 | SLX vs FLTR |
Often Compared With SLX
Investors most often compare SLX with COPX, CPER, ^DJUSST. These 20 comparison targets span 17 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SLX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SLX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SLX with funds that move differently
VanEck Vectors Steel ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SLX.
Explore SLX Diversifiers