PICK vs. ISTM
PICK (iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF) and ISTM (iShares Strategic Metals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PICK is a Metals fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers ex Gold and Silver Investable Market Index, while ISTM is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PICK returned 79.31% vs 47.39% for ISTM. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PICK charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for ISTM.
Performance
PICK vs. ISTM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PICK achieves a 22.74% return, which is significantly higher than ISTM's 7.47% return.
PICK
- 1D
- -0.67%
- 1M
- -0.87%
- YTD
- 22.74%
- 6M
- 23.41%
- 1Y
- 79.31%
- 3Y*
- 20.05%
- 5Y*
- 11.96%
- 10Y*
- 17.20%
ISTM
- 1D
- -0.83%
- 1M
- -5.36%
- YTD
- 7.47%
- 6M
- 11.45%
- 1Y
- 47.39%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
PICK vs. ISTM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PICK iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 22.74% | 51.89% | -16.37% | 13.41% |
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF | 7.47% | 54.07% | 6.95% | 2.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between PICK and ISTM is 0.78, 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 | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2023 | 0.73 |
The correlation between PICK and ISTM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PICK vs. ISTM — Risk / Return Rank
PICK
ISTM
PICK vs. ISTM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) and iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM). 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.
| PICK | ISTM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.34 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.28 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.08 | 2.08 | +2.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.49 | 4.93 | +10.56 |
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Drawdowns
PICK vs. ISTM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PICK drawdown since its inception was -68.87%, which is greater than ISTM's maximum drawdown of -22.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PICK and ISTM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PICK | ISTM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -68.87% | -22.20% | -46.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.54% | -22.20% | +2.66% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -32.52% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.37% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -52.72% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.58% | -15.49% | +6.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -24.06% | -6.61% | -17.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.14% | 9.35% | -4.21% |
Volatility
PICK vs. ISTM - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) has a higher volatility of 12.41% compared to iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) at 7.37%. This indicates that PICK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISTM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PICK | ISTM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.41% | 7.37% | +5.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 26.15% | 28.51% | -2.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 29.84% | 31.16% | -1.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.07% | 24.17% | +3.90% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.43% | 24.17% | +4.26% |
PICK vs. ISTM - Expense Ratio Comparison
PICK has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than ISTM's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
PICK vs. ISTM - Dividend Comparison
PICK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%, less than ISTM's 13.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF | 13.75% | 14.78% | 29.62% | 1.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PICK iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 2.11% | 2.88% | 3.26% | 4.19% | 6.93% | 5.89% | 2.27% | 5.51% | 4.77% | 2.41% | 1.15% | 15.77% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PICK and ISTM have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PICK has higher volatility (12.41%) compared to ISTM (7.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PICK dropped -68.87% vs ISTM's -22.20%.
On 1-year performance, PICK leads with 79.31% vs 47.39% for ISTM. On fees, PICK is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, ISTM has been the lower-risk option at 7.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, PICK has performed better with a 79.31% return vs 47.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PICK is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for ISTM.
ISTM has the higher dividend yield at 13.75%, compared with 2.11% for PICK.
PICK is categorized as Metals, while ISTM is Rare Earth & Strategic Metals. PICK tracks MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers ex Gold and Silver Investable Market Index, while ISTM tracks ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for PICK and 0.49% for ISTM.
PICK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 1.48), 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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