ISTM vs. BCIM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISTM (iShares Strategic Metals ETF) and BCIM (abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF) are both Metals funds - ISTM tracks the ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index while BCIM tracks the Bloomberg Industrial Metals. Both are passively managed. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISTM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for BCIM.

Performance

ISTM vs. BCIM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) and abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCIM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ISTM

• 1D: -2.14%
• 1M: 4.48%
• YTD: 13.15%
• 6M: 24.67%
• 1Y: 58.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BCIM

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ISTM vs. BCIM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF	13.15%	54.07%	6.95%	2.69%
BCIM abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF	0.00%	10.71%	3.30%	1.12%

Correlation

The correlation between ISTM and BCIM is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2023	0.71

Over the past year, the correlation between ISTM and BCIM has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.71, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ISTM vs. BCIM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISTM

ISTM Risk / Return Rank: 52
ISTM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
ISTM Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
ISTM Omega Ratio Rank: 59
ISTM Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
ISTM Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

ISTM vs. BCIM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) and abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCIM). 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.

	ISTM	BCIM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.65	—	—
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

	ISTM	BCIM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.92	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.15	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	ISTM	BCIM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.20%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.03%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.49%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.85%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ISTM	BCIM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.76%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.06%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.67%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.11%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.11%	—	—

ISTM vs. BCIM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISTM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than BCIM's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISTM vs. BCIM - Dividend Comparison

ISTM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.06%, more than BCIM's 3.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BCIM abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF	3.77%	3.77%	11.47%	3.36%	0.72%	1.57%
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF	13.06%	14.78%	29.62%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISTM and BCIM in my portfolio?

ISTM and BCIM have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ISTM or BCIM?

On fees, BCIM is cheaper at 0.41% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISTM or BCIM?

BCIM is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for ISTM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ISTM or BCIM?

ISTM has the higher dividend yield at 13.06%, compared with 3.77% for BCIM.

What is the main difference between ISTM and BCIM?

ISTM tracks ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index, while BCIM tracks Bloomberg Industrial Metals. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Aberdeen. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for ISTM and 0.41% for BCIM.