IDEF vs. METL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IDEF (iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF) and METL (Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IDEF is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by iShares, while METL is a Commodity Producers Equities fund actively managed by Sprott. Both are actively managed. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDEF charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for METL.

Performance

IDEF vs. METL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDEF achieves a 4.74% return, which is significantly lower than METL's 18.34% return.

IDEF

• 1D: -2.54%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.74%
• 6M: 9.45%
• 1Y: 21.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

METL

• 1D: -3.81%
• 1M: 5.71%
• YTD: 18.34%
• 6M: 25.03%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IDEF vs. METL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	4.74%	3.86%
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	18.34%	27.04%

Correlation

The correlation between IDEF and METL is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 11, 2025	0.61

Return for Risk

IDEF vs. METL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDEF

IDEF Risk / Return Rank: 28
IDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
IDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 26
IDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

IDEF vs. METL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). 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.

	IDEF	METL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.90	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IDEF	METL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.33	1.72	-0.39

Drawdowns

IDEF vs. METL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDEF drawdown since its inception was -14.63%, smaller than the maximum METL drawdown of -27.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDEF and METL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDEF	METL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.63%	-27.39%	+12.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.31%	-10.27%	-2.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.90%	-8.11%	+4.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.61%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IDEF	METL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.87%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.98%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.15%	43.94%	-22.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.07%	43.94%	-22.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.07%	43.94%	-22.87%

IDEF vs. METL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDEF has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than METL's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDEF vs. METL - Dividend Comparison

IDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than METL's 0.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	0.16%	0.17%
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	0.84%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDEF and METL in my portfolio?

IDEF and METL have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IDEF or METL?

On fees, IDEF is cheaper at 0.55% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDEF or METL?

IDEF is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for METL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDEF or METL?

METL has the higher dividend yield at 0.84%, compared with 0.16% for IDEF.

What is the main difference between IDEF and METL?

IDEF is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while METL is Commodity Producers Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IDEF and 0.89% for METL.