ISRA vs. REMX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

ISRA (VanEck Israel ETF) and REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISRA is a Global Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Israel Global Index, while REMX is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ISRA returned 10.54%/yr vs 6.30%/yr for REMX. Their 0.47 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. Both charge a 0.59% expense ratio.

Performance

ISRA vs. REMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Israel ETF (ISRA) and VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISRA achieves a 13.95% return, which is significantly higher than REMX's -3.25% return. Over the past 10 years, ISRA has outperformed REMX with an annualized return of 10.54%, while REMX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.30% annualized return.

ISRA

• 1D: 2.91%
• 1M: 2.76%
• 6M: 5.19%
• YTD: 13.95%
• 1Y: 35.15%
• 3Y*: 25.31%
• 5Y*: 8.79%
• 10Y*: 10.54%
• ALL TIME*: 9.07%

REMX

• 1D: 5.75%
• 1M: -17.53%
• 6M: -20.71%
• YTD: -3.25%
• 1Y: 42.99%
• 3Y*: -2.24%
• 5Y*: -6.14%
• 10Y*: 6.30%
• ALL TIME*: -4.87%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ISRA VanEck Israel ETF	$185.25K	$264.84K	$402.02K
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	$51.20M	$57.31M	$83.66M

ISRA vs. REMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISRA VanEck Israel ETF	13.95%	36.98%	26.03%	-0.08%	-25.76%	10.06%	28.21%	26.77%	-7.04%	15.07%
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	-3.25%	92.95%	-35.02%	-19.18%	-31.13%	79.81%	64.82%	0.74%	-49.63%	82.60%

Correlation

The correlation between ISRA and REMX is 0.30, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2013	0.47

The correlation between ISRA and REMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (1 year) to 0.49 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ISRA vs. REMX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISRA	REMX
Technology	34.8%	-
Financial Services	27.9%	-
Industrials	8.4%	-
Healthcare	7.8%	-
Basic Materials	5.4%	100.0%
Real Estate	5.3%	-
Utilities	5.3%	-
Energy	3.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.6%	-
Communication Services	1.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

ISRA vs. REMX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ISRA

ISRA Risk / Return Rank: 64
ISRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
ISRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ISRA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ISRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
ISRA Martin Ratio Rank: 64

REMX

REMX Risk / Return Rank: 32
REMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
REMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
REMX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
REMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
REMX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ISRA vs. REMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Israel ETF (ISRA) and VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX). 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.

	ISRA	REMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	0.86	+0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	1.43	+0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.17	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	1.05	+1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.55	3.15	+5.40

ISRA vs. REMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISRA Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is higher than the REMX Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISRA and REMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ISRA vs. REMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISRA drawdown since its inception was -45.02%, smaller than the maximum REMX drawdown of -90.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISRA and REMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISRA	REMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.02%	-90.20%	+45.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.99%	-41.03%	+29.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.67%	-58.11%	+35.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.02%	-73.34%	+28.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.02%	-73.34%	+28.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.82%	-67.25%	+62.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.15%	-66.81%	+55.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	13.68%	-9.54%

Volatility

ISRA vs. REMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Israel ETF (ISRA) is 6.88%, while VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a volatility of 14.10%. This indicates that ISRA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than REMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ISRA	REMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.88%	14.10%	-7.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.13%	36.85%	-19.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.53%	50.16%	-28.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.26%	40.61%	-18.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.09%	37.36%	-16.27%

ISRA vs. REMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ISRA and REMX have an expense ratio of 0.59%.

Dividends

ISRA vs. REMX - Dividend Comparison

ISRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, less than REMX's 1.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISRA VanEck Israel ETF	1.30%	1.48%	1.21%	1.89%	1.36%	1.28%	0.17%	1.38%	0.76%	1.58%	1.62%	1.31%
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	1.82%	1.76%	2.56%	0.00%	1.56%	5.25%	0.81%	1.64%	12.43%	2.89%	2.23%	4.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISRA and REMX in my portfolio?

ISRA and REMX have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISRA or REMX?

REMX has higher volatility (14.10%) compared to ISRA (6.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISRA dropped -45.02% vs REMX's -90.20%.

Which ETF is better, ISRA or REMX?

On 10-year performance, ISRA leads with 10.54% vs 6.30% for REMX. Both ETFs have the same 0.59% expense ratio. On volatility, ISRA has been the lower-risk option at 6.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISRA or REMX?

Over the 10-year period, ISRA has performed better with a 10.54% return vs 6.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISRA or REMX?

ISRA and REMX have the same expense ratio: 0.59% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ISRA or REMX?

REMX has the higher dividend yield at 1.82%, compared with 1.30% for ISRA.

What is the main difference between ISRA and REMX?

ISRA is categorized as Global Equities, while REMX is Rare Earth & Strategic Metals. ISRA tracks BlueStar Israel Global Index, while REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 0.86), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.