REMX vs. ISTM
REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) and ISTM (iShares Strategic Metals ETF) are both Rare Earth & Strategic Metals funds - REMX tracks the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index while ISTM tracks the ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, REMX returned 39.51% vs 43.59% for ISTM. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. REMX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for ISTM.
Performance
REMX vs. ISTM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, REMX achieves a -8.51% return, which is significantly lower than ISTM's 3.76% return.
REMX
- 1D
- 2.52%
- 1M
- -22.01%
- 6M
- -20.26%
- YTD
- -8.51%
- 1Y
- 39.51%
- 3Y*
- -4.05%
- 5Y*
- -7.38%
- 10Y*
- 5.71%
- ALL TIME*
- -5.20%
ISTM
- 1D
- 0.70%
- 1M
- 2.27%
- 6M
- -3.11%
- YTD
- 3.76%
- 1Y
- 43.59%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 21.86%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $165.84K | $164.59K | $173.58K | |
| $46.30M | $55.44M | $85.35M |
REMX vs. ISTM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | -8.51% | 92.95% | -35.02% | -4.46% |
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF | 3.76% | 54.07% | 6.95% | 2.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between REMX and ISTM is 0.55, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2023 | 0.54 |
The correlation between REMX and ISTM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
REMX vs. ISTM — Risk / Return Rank
REMX
ISTM
REMX vs. ISTM - 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 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.
| REMX | ISTM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.62 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.27 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.97 | 1.95 | -0.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.93 | 3.92 | -0.99 |
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Drawdowns
REMX vs. ISTM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, which is greater than ISTM's maximum drawdown of -22.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and ISTM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| REMX | ISTM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -90.20% | -22.47% | -67.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -41.03% | -22.47% | -18.56% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -58.11% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -73.34% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -73.34% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -69.03% | -18.41% | -50.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -66.81% | -7.16% | -59.65% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.50% | 11.15% | +2.35% |
Volatility
REMX vs. ISTM - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a higher volatility of 12.38% compared to iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) at 6.02%. This indicates that REMX'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
| REMX | ISTM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.38% | 6.02% | +6.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 36.40% | 21.91% | +14.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 49.95% | 30.93% | +19.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 40.59% | 24.22% | +16.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 37.32% | 24.22% | +13.10% |
REMX vs. ISTM - Expense Ratio Comparison
REMX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTM's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
REMX vs. ISTM - Dividend Comparison
REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, less than ISTM's 14.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF | 14.24% | 14.78% | 29.62% | 1.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | 1.92% | 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 ISTM have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
REMX has higher volatility (12.38%) compared to ISTM (6.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs ISTM's -22.47%.
On 1-year performance, ISTM leads with 43.59% vs 39.51% for REMX. On fees, ISTM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, ISTM has been the lower-risk option at 6.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ISTM has performed better with a 43.59% return vs 39.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ISTM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for REMX.
ISTM has the higher dividend yield at 14.24%, compared with 1.92% for REMX.
REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while ISTM tracks ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for REMX and 0.49% for ISTM.
ISTM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 0.80), 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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