SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) 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 XME. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to XME
XME charges 0.35% annually. There are 4 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 | XME vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 0.09% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | XME vs VAW | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.13% | 8.30B | Dec 1998 | XME vs XLB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 0.29% | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | XME vs PSCM | |
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 0.35% | 7.25M | Jul 2025 | XME vs XLBI |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to XME
XME has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 42. There are 6 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 | XME vs SLX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 58 | 2.16B | Jan 2012 | XME vs PICK | |
| Sprott Critical Materials ETF | 52 | 563.27M | Feb 2023 | XME vs SETM | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 50 | 375.65M | May 2007 | XME vs FXZ | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 47 | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | XME vs PSCM |
Top Performing XME Alternatives (YTD)
XME is at 0.21% YTD. There are 14 ETFs in the Materials category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 20.11%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 20.11% | 375.65M | May 2007 | XME vs FXZ | |
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 16.80% | 158.61M | Oct 2006 | XME vs SLX | |
| WEBs Materials XLB Defined Volatility ETF | 16.59% | — | Jul 2025 | XME vs DVXB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 16.53% | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | XME vs PSCM | |
| iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF | 16.38% | 1.21B | Jun 2000 | XME vs IYM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to XME
XME has 36.46% 1-year volatility. There are 15 ETFs in the Materials category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.93%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 13.93% | 7.25M | Jul 2025 | XME vs XLBI | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 17.65% | 8.30B | Dec 1998 | XME vs XLB | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 18.60% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | XME vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 18.63% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | XME vs VAW | |
| iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | 18.67% | 251.18M | Jun 2008 | XME vs WOOD |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to XME
XME has a 1-year max drawdown of -23.20%. There are 13 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 | XME vs RSPM | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | -12.38% | 8.30B | Dec 1998 | XME vs XLB | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | -12.75% | 375.65M | May 2007 | XME vs FXZ | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | -13.42% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | XME vs VAW | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | -13.48% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | XME vs FMAT |
Other ETFs from State Street
The 10 most viewed State Street ETFs shown here include SPY, GLD, XLK and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $783B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 11.30% | 783.21B | Jan 1993 | XME vs SPY | |
| SPDR Gold Shares | Gold, Precious Metals | 26 | -4.87% | 132.10B | Nov 2004 | XME vs GLD | |
| State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | Technology Equities | 68 | 29.35% | 120.59B | Dec 1998 | XME vs XLK | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | S&P 500, Large Cap Growth Equities | 51 | 12.75% | 52.75B | Sep 2000 | XME vs SPYG | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ... | S&P 500, Dividend | 48 | 14.21% | 7.40B | Oct 2015 | XME vs SPYD | |
| State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | Energy Equities | 45 | 24.89% | 36.33B | Dec 1998 | XME vs XLE | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 68 | 11.34% | 158.31B | Nov 2005 | XME vs SPYM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 26 | -4.78% | 27.70B | Jun 2018 | XME vs GLDM | |
| State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | Utilities Equities | 29 | 7.80% | 23.51B | Dec 1998 | XME vs XLU | |
| SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF | Government Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.88% | 46.75B | May 2007 | XME vs BIL |
Often Compared With XME
Investors most often compare XME with XBM.TO, VOO, QQQ. These 20 comparison targets span 14 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare XME with Any Fund or Stock
Compare XME with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair XME with funds that move differently
SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to XME.
Explore XME Diversifiers