ISTM vs. REMX
ISTM (iShares Strategic Metals ETF) and REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) are both Rare Earth & Strategic Metals funds - ISTM tracks the ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index while REMX tracks the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ISTM returned 39.44% vs 139.49% for REMX. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISTM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for REMX.
Performance
ISTM vs. REMX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ISTM achieves a 3.12% return, which is significantly lower than REMX's 24.22% return.
ISTM
- 1D
- -3.40%
- 1M
- -9.19%
- YTD
- 3.12%
- 6M
- 3.55%
- 1Y
- 39.44%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
REMX
- 1D
- -5.62%
- 1M
- -5.16%
- YTD
- 24.22%
- 6M
- 22.61%
- 1Y
- 139.49%
- 3Y*
- 5.61%
- 5Y*
- 4.37%
- 10Y*
- 10.09%
ISTM vs. REMX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF | 3.12% | 54.07% | 6.95% | 2.69% |
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | 24.22% | 92.95% | -35.02% | -4.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between ISTM and REMX is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2023 | 0.54 |
The correlation between ISTM and REMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ISTM vs. REMX — Risk / Return Rank
ISTM
REMX
ISTM vs. REMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) 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.
| ISTM | REMX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.38 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.78 | 6.01 | -4.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.17 | 15.83 | -11.65 |
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Drawdowns
ISTM vs. REMX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ISTM drawdown since its inception was -22.20%, smaller than the maximum REMX drawdown of -90.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISTM and REMX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ISTM | REMX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.20% | -90.20% | +68.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -22.20% | -23.35% | +1.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -62.11% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -73.34% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -73.34% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -18.92% | -57.95% | +39.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.64% | -66.82% | +60.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.48% | 8.85% | +0.63% |
Volatility
ISTM vs. REMX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) is 7.62%, while VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a volatility of 16.71%. This indicates that ISTM 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.
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Volatility by Period
| ISTM | REMX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.62% | 16.71% | -9.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 28.67% | 37.35% | -8.68% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 31.35% | 49.97% | -18.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.24% | 40.71% | -16.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.24% | 37.16% | -12.92% |
ISTM vs. REMX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ISTM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than REMX's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
ISTM vs. REMX - Dividend Comparison
ISTM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.33%, more than REMX's 1.42% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF | 14.33% | 14.78% | 29.62% | 1.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | 1.42% | 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
ISTM and REMX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
REMX has higher volatility (16.71%) compared to ISTM (7.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISTM dropped -22.20% vs REMX's -90.20%.
On 1-year performance, REMX leads with 139.49% vs 39.44% for ISTM. On fees, ISTM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, ISTM has been the lower-risk option at 7.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, REMX has performed better with a 139.49% return vs 39.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ISTM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for REMX.
ISTM has the higher dividend yield at 14.33%, compared with 1.42% for REMX.
ISTM tracks ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index, while REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for ISTM and 0.59% for REMX.
REMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 1.26), 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.
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