EART vs. FMTL

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

EART (Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF) and FMTL (First Trust Indxx Critical Metals ETF) are both Rare Earth & Strategic Metals funds - EART tracks the Solactive Rare Earth & Critical Materials Index while FMTL tracks the Indxx Global Critical Metals Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EART charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FMTL.

Performance

EART vs. FMTL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF (EART) and First Trust Indxx Critical Metals ETF (FMTL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EART achieves a -4.14% return, which is significantly lower than FMTL's 9.52% return.

EART

• 1D: -3.41%
• 1M: -14.92%
• 6M: -16.35%
• YTD: -4.14%
• 1Y: 51.30%
• 3Y*: 12.61%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FMTL

• 1D: -2.23%
• 1M: -10.67%
• 6M: -2.22%
• YTD: 9.52%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EART vs. FMTL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EART Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF	-4.14%	22.67%
FMTL First Trust Indxx Critical Metals ETF	9.52%	21.85%

Correlation

The correlation between EART and FMTL is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2025	0.90

Return for Risk

EART vs. FMTL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

EART

EART Risk / Return Rank: 43
EART Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
EART Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
EART Omega Ratio Rank: 43
EART Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
EART Martin Ratio Rank: 40

FMTL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

EART vs. FMTL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF (EART) and First Trust Indxx Critical Metals ETF (FMTL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	EART	FMTL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.97	—	—

Drawdowns

EART vs. FMTL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EART drawdown since its inception was -53.68%, which is greater than FMTL's maximum drawdown of -22.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EART and FMTL.

Drawdown Indicators

	EART	FMTL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.68%	-22.44%	-31.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.39%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-27.39%	-17.89%	-9.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.91%	-6.14%	-22.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.35%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	EART	FMTL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.97%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.11%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.74%	39.81%	-0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.24%	39.81%	-5.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.24%	39.81%	-5.57%

EART vs. FMTL - Expense Ratio Comparison

EART has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than FMTL's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

EART vs. FMTL - Dividend Comparison

EART's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, less than FMTL's 1.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
EART Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF	0.70%	0.65%	1.06%	1.83%	2.04%
FMTL First Trust Indxx Critical Metals ETF	1.69%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EART and FMTL in my portfolio?

EART and FMTL have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, EART or FMTL?

On fees, EART is cheaper at 0.59% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, EART or FMTL?

EART is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FMTL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EART or FMTL?

FMTL has the higher dividend yield at 1.69%, compared with 0.70% for EART.

What is the main difference between EART and FMTL?

EART tracks Solactive Rare Earth & Critical Materials Index, while FMTL tracks Indxx Global Critical Metals Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EART and 0.65% for FMTL.