REMX vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REMX is a Materials fund tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while EWY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REMX returned 10.32%/yr vs 16.84%/yr for EWY. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.59% expense ratio.

Performance

REMX vs. EWY - 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 South Korea ETF (EWY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REMX achieves a 29.19% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 103.10% return. Over the past 10 years, REMX has underperformed EWY with an annualized return of 10.32%, while EWY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.84% annualized return.

REMX

• 1D: 2.73%
• 1M: -10.13%
• YTD: 29.19%
• 6M: 34.20%
• 1Y: 144.64%
• 3Y*: 5.16%
• 5Y*: 4.80%
• 10Y*: 10.32%

EWY

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 4.68%
• YTD: 103.10%
• 6M: 117.85%
• 1Y: 198.25%
• 3Y*: 46.46%
• 5Y*: 18.80%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

REMX vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	103.10%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and EWY is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2010	0.52

The correlation between REMX and EWY shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (1 year) to 0.52 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

REMX vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REMX	EWY
Basic Materials	100.0%	2.0%
Communication Services	-	2.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.7%
Energy	-	1.4%
Financial Services	-	9.6%
Healthcare	-	3.5%
Industrials	-	20.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	52.4%
Utilities	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

REMX vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

REMX

REMX Risk / Return Rank: 87
REMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
REMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
REMX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
REMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
REMX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 95
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. EWY - 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 South Korea ETF (EWY). 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.

	REMX	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	4.29	-1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	4.08	-0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.59	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.23	8.65	-2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.82	30.24	-13.42

REMX vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 4.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX and EWY, 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

REMX vs. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, which is greater than EWY's maximum drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMX	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.20%	-74.14%	-16.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.35%	-23.08%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.11%	-27.36%	-34.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.34%	-48.55%	-24.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.34%	-49.73%	-23.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-56.27%	-8.88%	-47.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.84%	-20.11%	-46.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.63%	6.59%	+2.04%

Volatility

REMX vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) is 17.56%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 25.64%. This indicates that REMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REMX	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.56%	25.64%	-8.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	37.14%	42.65%	-5.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.74%	46.51%	+3.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.64%	30.15%	+10.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.14%	28.06%	+9.08%

REMX vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both REMX and EWY have an expense ratio of 0.59%.

Dividends

REMX vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, more than EWY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.03%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%
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

Can I hold both REMX and EWY in my portfolio?

REMX and EWY have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, REMX or EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (25.64%) compared to REMX (17.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, REMX or EWY?

On 10-year performance, EWY leads with 16.84% vs 10.32% for REMX. Both ETFs have the same 0.59% expense ratio. On volatility, REMX has been the lower-risk option at 17.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REMX or EWY?

Over the 10-year period, EWY has performed better with a 16.84% return vs 10.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REMX or EWY?

REMX and EWY have the same expense ratio: 0.59% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, REMX or EWY?

REMX has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 1.03% for EWY.

What is the main difference between REMX and EWY?

REMX is categorized as Materials, while EWY is Asia Pacific Equities. REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.29 vs 2.93), 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.