PICK vs. SLX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PICK (iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF) and SLX (VanEck Vectors Steel 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 SLX is a Materials fund tracking the NYSE Arca Steel Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PICK returned 14.91%/yr vs 17.02%/yr for SLX. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PICK charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for SLX.

Performance

PICK vs. SLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) and VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PICK achieves a 16.18% return, which is significantly lower than SLX's 24.30% return. Over the past 10 years, PICK has underperformed SLX with an annualized return of 14.91%, while SLX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.02% annualized return.

PICK

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 2.44%
• 6M: 2.29%
• YTD: 16.18%
• 1Y: 58.79%
• 3Y*: 15.08%
• 5Y*: 9.26%
• 10Y*: 14.91%
• ALL TIME*: 5.11%

SLX

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 7.42%
• 6M: 12.20%
• YTD: 24.30%
• 1Y: 59.99%
• 3Y*: 17.85%
• 5Y*: 14.69%
• 10Y*: 17.02%
• ALL TIME*: 7.95%

*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)
PICK iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF	$52.34M	$45.18M	$51.90M
SLX VanEck Vectors Steel ETF	$3.18M	$2.86M	$6.08M

PICK vs. SLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PICK iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF	16.18%	51.89%	-16.37%	9.69%	2.54%	22.61%	27.46%	16.47%	-18.65%	38.42%
SLX VanEck Vectors Steel ETF	24.30%	47.45%	-17.94%	31.25%	14.28%	27.69%	20.57%	12.01%	-19.27%	24.59%

Correlation

The correlation between PICK and SLX is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012	0.85

The correlation between PICK and SLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

PICK vs. SLX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PICK	SLX
Basic Materials	97.1%	94.1%
Industrials	1.2%	2.0%
Technology	0.8%	-
Energy	0.5%	3.9%
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PICK vs. SLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PICK

PICK Risk / Return Rank: 77
PICK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
PICK Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
PICK Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PICK Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
PICK Martin Ratio Rank: 67

SLX

SLX Risk / Return Rank: 87
SLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
SLX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SLX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

PICK vs. SLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) and VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX). 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	SLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	2.34	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	3.06	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.39	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	3.53	-0.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.10	10.12	-2.02

PICK vs. SLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PICK Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is comparable to the SLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PICK and SLX, 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

PICK vs. SLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PICK drawdown since its inception was -68.87%, smaller than the maximum SLX drawdown of -82.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PICK and SLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PICK	SLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.87%	-82.14%	+13.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.54%	-16.35%	-3.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.52%	-27.39%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.37%	-33.62%	-2.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.72%	-61.64%	+8.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.47%	-7.12%	-6.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.99%	-38.48%	+14.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.17%	5.69%	+1.48%

Volatility

PICK vs. SLX - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) has a higher volatility of 8.26% compared to VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX) at 5.97%. This indicates that PICK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PICK	SLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.26%	5.97%	+2.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.71%	19.56%	+7.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.29%	24.76%	+5.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.11%	27.63%	+0.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.29%	30.74%	-2.45%

PICK vs. SLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PICK has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than SLX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

PICK vs. SLX - Dividend Comparison

PICK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%, more than SLX's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PICK iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF	2.23%	2.88%	3.26%	4.19%	6.93%	5.89%	2.27%	5.51%	4.77%	2.41%	1.15%	15.77%
SLX VanEck Vectors Steel ETF	1.25%	1.55%	3.56%	2.80%	4.97%	7.07%	1.87%	3.44%	6.26%	2.50%	1.06%	5.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PICK and SLX in my portfolio?

PICK and SLX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PICK or SLX?

PICK has higher volatility (8.26%) compared to SLX (5.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PICK dropped -68.87% vs SLX's -82.14%.

Which ETF is better, PICK or SLX?

On 10-year performance, SLX leads with 17.02% vs 14.91% for PICK. On fees, PICK is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, SLX has been the lower-risk option at 5.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PICK or SLX?

Over the 10-year period, SLX has performed better with a 17.02% return vs 14.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PICK or SLX?

PICK is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for SLX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PICK or SLX?

PICK has the higher dividend yield at 2.23%, compared with 1.25% for SLX.

What is the main difference between PICK and SLX?

PICK is categorized as Metals, while SLX is Materials. PICK tracks MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers ex Gold and Silver Investable Market Index, while SLX tracks NYSE Arca Steel Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for PICK and 0.56% for SLX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.92), 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.