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REMX vs. AAXJ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

REMX vs. AAXJ

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) and AAXJ (iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REMX is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while AAXJ is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REMX returned 10.32%/yr vs 10.34%/yr for AAXJ. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. REMX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for AAXJ.

Performance

REMX vs. AAXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REMX achieves a 29.19% return, which is significantly higher than AAXJ's 26.46% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with REMX having a 10.32% annualized return and AAXJ not far ahead at 10.34%.

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%

AAXJ

1D
0.46%
1M
0.61%
YTD
26.46%
6M
29.76%
1Y
48.69%
3Y*
22.11%
5Y*
6.41%
10Y*
10.34%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

REMX vs. AAXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
AAXJ
iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF		26.46%31.53%10.41%4.79%-20.35%-5.73%23.35%17.93%-15.04%41.76%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and AAXJ is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.46

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

0.57

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

0.60

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

0.59

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

0.61

The correlation between REMX and AAXJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.61 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

REMX vs. AAXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
REMX
AAXJ

Basic Materials

100.0%
3.1%

Communication Services

-

5.9%

Consumer Cyclical

-

8.9%

Consumer Defensive

-

2.0%

Energy

-

2.2%

Financial Services

-

15.8%

Healthcare

-

2.6%

Industrials

-

7.3%

Real Estate

-

1.4%

Technology

-

49.4%

Utilities

-

1.6%

Basic Materials

REMX
100.0%
AAXJ
3.1%

Communication Services

REMX

-

AAXJ
5.9%

Consumer Cyclical

REMX

-

AAXJ
8.9%

Consumer Defensive

REMX

-

AAXJ
2.0%

Energy

REMX

-

AAXJ
2.2%

Financial Services

REMX

-

AAXJ
15.8%

Healthcare

REMX

-

AAXJ
2.6%

Industrials

REMX

-

AAXJ
7.3%

Real Estate

REMX

-

AAXJ
1.4%

Technology

REMX

-

AAXJ
49.4%

Utilities

REMX

-

AAXJ
1.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF

iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF

Often compared with REMX:
REMX vs. LITREMX vs. XLBREMX vs. USARREMX vs. COPXREMX vs. RAREREMX vs. GNRREMX vs. WTRE
Often compared with AAXJ:
AAXJ vs. VPLAAXJ vs. IEMGAAXJ vs. VWOAAXJ vs. BBAXAAXJ vs. EPPAAXJ vs. CQQQAAXJ vs. THD

Return for Risk

REMX vs. AAXJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
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
AAXJ
AAXJ Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
AAXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AAXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
AAXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
AAXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 7676
Calmar Ratio Rank
AAXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
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.

REMX vs. AAXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ). 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.

REMXAAXJDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.93
2.11

+0.82

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.19
2.73

+0.46

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.40

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

6.23

3.41

+2.82

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

16.82

12.55

+4.27

REMX vs. AAXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is higher than the AAXJ Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX and AAXJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

REMX vs. AAXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, which is greater than AAXJ's maximum drawdown of -49.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and AAXJ.

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Drawdown Indicators

REMXAAXJDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-90.20%

-49.37%

-40.83%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-23.35%

-13.66%

-9.69%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-62.11%

-19.74%

-42.37%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-73.34%

-40.64%

-32.70%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-73.34%

-44.52%

-28.82%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-56.27%

-4.62%

-51.65%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-66.84%

-14.01%

-52.83%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

8.63%

3.71%

+4.92%

Volatility

REMX vs. AAXJ - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a higher volatility of 17.56% compared to iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) at 11.46%. This indicates that REMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AAXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

REMXAAXJDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

17.56%

11.46%

+6.10%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

37.14%

19.71%

+17.43%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

49.74%

22.12%

+27.62%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

40.64%

20.32%

+20.32%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

37.14%

20.42%

+16.72%

REMX vs. AAXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

REMX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than AAXJ's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

REMX vs. AAXJ - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than AAXJ's 1.43% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AAXJ
iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF		1.43%1.81%1.86%1.95%1.74%2.21%1.06%1.83%2.10%1.99%1.77%2.44%
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

REMX and AAXJ have a correlation of 0.46, 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 AAXJ (11.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs AAXJ's -49.37%.

On 10-year performance, AAXJ leads with 10.34% vs 10.32% for REMX. On fees, REMX is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, AAXJ has been the lower-risk option at 11.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, AAXJ has performed better with a 10.34% return vs 10.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

REMX is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AAXJ.

AAXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 1.36% for REMX.

REMX is categorized as Rare Earth & Strategic Metals, while AAXJ is Asia Pacific Equities. REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while AAXJ tracks MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for REMX and 0.68% for AAXJ.

REMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 2.11), 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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