PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IXJ vs. REMX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXJ vs. REMX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) and REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXJ is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Healthcare Sector 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, IXJ returned 8.43%/yr vs 10.32%/yr for REMX. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IXJ charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for REMX.

Performance

IXJ vs. REMX - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXJ achieves a -1.18% return, which is significantly lower than REMX's 29.19% return. Over the past 10 years, IXJ has underperformed REMX with an annualized return of 8.43%, while REMX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.32% annualized return.

IXJ

1D
-0.24%
1M
3.58%
YTD
-1.18%
6M
-0.09%
1Y
11.25%
3Y*
5.65%
5Y*
4.37%
10Y*
8.43%

REMX

1D
2.73%
1M
-4.36%
YTD
29.19%
6M
34.20%
1Y
145.31%
3Y*
5.16%
5Y*
4.80%
10Y*
10.32%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXJ vs. REMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXJ
iShares Global Healthcare ETF		-1.18%14.99%0.55%3.62%-4.94%19.60%12.74%23.23%2.83%20.44%
REMX
VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF		29.19%92.95%-35.02%-19.18%-31.13%79.81%64.82%0.74%-49.63%82.60%

Correlation

The correlation between IXJ and REMX is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.20

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.25

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.31

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.35

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2010

0.40

Over the past year, the correlation between IXJ and REMX has dropped to 0.20 - well below their long-term average of 0.40, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IXJ vs. REMX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXJ
REMX

Healthcare

98.9%

-

Consumer Defensive

0.5%

-

Basic Materials

-

100.0%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

IXJ
98.9%
REMX

-

Consumer Defensive

IXJ
0.5%
REMX

-

Basic Materials

IXJ

-

REMX
100.0%

Communication Services

IXJ

-

REMX

-

Consumer Cyclical

IXJ

-

REMX

-

Energy

IXJ

-

REMX

-

Financial Services

IXJ

-

REMX

-

Industrials

IXJ

-

REMX

-

Real Estate

IXJ

-

REMX

-

Technology

IXJ

-

REMX

-

Utilities

IXJ

-

REMX

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Global Healthcare ETF

VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF

Often compared with IXJ:
IXJ vs. XLVIXJ vs. VHTIXJ vs. IHIIXJ vs. XDWH.LIXJ vs. FHLCIXJ vs. IVVIXJ vs. HLTH.L
Often compared with REMX:
REMX vs. LITREMX vs. XLBREMX vs. USARREMX vs. COPXREMX vs. RAREREMX vs. GNRREMX vs. WTRE

Return for Risk

IXJ vs. REMX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXJ
IXJ Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
IXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2222
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2323
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 2121
Omega Ratio Rank
IXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 2323
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 2121
Martin Ratio Rank
REMX
REMX Risk / Return Rank: 8787
Overall Rank
REMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9393
Sharpe Ratio Rank
REMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8383
Sortino Ratio Rank
REMX Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
REMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9494
Calmar Ratio Rank
REMX Martin Ratio Rank: 8888
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IXJ vs. REMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) 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.

IXJREMXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.69
2.93

-2.24

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.14
3.19

-2.05

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.13

1.40

-0.27

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.95

6.23

-5.28

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.29

16.82

-14.53

IXJ vs. REMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXJ Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the REMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXJ 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.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

IXJ vs. REMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXJ drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, smaller than the maximum REMX drawdown of -90.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXJ and REMX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IXJREMXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.60%

-90.20%

+49.60%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.78%

-23.35%

+12.57%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.14%

-62.11%

+43.97%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-18.14%

-73.34%

+55.20%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-27.35%

-73.34%

+45.99%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.37%

-56.27%

+50.90%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.92%

-66.84%

+59.92%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.52%

8.63%

-4.11%

Volatility

IXJ vs. REMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) is 4.81%, while VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a volatility of 17.56%. This indicates that IXJ 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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IXJREMXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.81%

17.56%

-12.75%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.46%

37.14%

-26.68%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.92%

49.74%

-34.82%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.26%

40.64%

-26.38%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.70%

37.14%

-21.44%

IXJ vs. REMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXJ has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than REMX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXJ vs. REMX - Dividend Comparison

IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, more than REMX's 1.36% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXJ
iShares Global Healthcare ETF		1.41%1.40%1.50%1.38%1.17%1.12%1.27%1.42%2.11%1.46%1.73%2.85%
REMX
VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF		1.36%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

IXJ and REMX have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

REMX has higher volatility (17.56%) compared to IXJ (4.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXJ dropped -40.60% vs REMX's -90.20%.

On 10-year performance, REMX leads with 10.32% vs 8.43% for IXJ. On fees, IXJ is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, IXJ has been the lower-risk option at 4.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, REMX has performed better with a 10.32% return vs 8.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IXJ is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for REMX.

IXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.41%, compared with 1.36% for REMX.

IXJ is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while REMX is Rare Earth & Strategic Metals. IXJ tracks S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index, while REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXJ and 0.59% for REMX.

REMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 0.69), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IXJ and REMX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer