REMX vs. IYH

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) and IYH (iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REMX is a Materials fund tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while IYH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REMX returned 9.04%/yr vs 9.38%/yr for IYH. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. REMX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for IYH.

Performance

REMX vs. IYH - 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 U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REMX achieves a 18.26% return, which is significantly higher than IYH's -1.29% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with REMX having a 9.04% annualized return and IYH not far ahead at 9.38%.

REMX

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: -17.82%
• YTD: 18.26%
• 6M: 21.26%
• 1Y: 129.60%
• 3Y*: 2.77%
• 5Y*: 3.01%
• 10Y*: 9.04%

IYH

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 6.02%
• YTD: -1.29%
• 6M: 0.79%
• 1Y: 15.28%
• 3Y*: 6.60%
• 5Y*: 4.95%
• 10Y*: 9.38%

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

REMX vs. IYH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	18.26%	92.95%	-35.02%	-19.18%	-31.13%	79.81%	64.82%	0.74%	-49.63%	82.60%
IYH iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF	-1.29%	13.16%	2.99%	2.14%	-4.46%	23.41%	15.56%	20.80%	5.80%	22.27%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and IYH is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2010	0.37

Over the past year, the correlation between REMX and IYH has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.37, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

REMX vs. IYH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REMX	IYH
Basic Materials	100.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	100.0%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

REMX vs. IYH — Risk / Return Rank

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

REMX

REMX Risk / Return Rank: 82
REMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
REMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
REMX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
REMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
REMX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

IYH

IYH Risk / Return Rank: 31
IYH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IYH Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
IYH Omega Ratio Rank: 30
IYH Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IYH Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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. IYH - 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 U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH). 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.

	REMX	IYH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	1.02	+1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	1.64	+1.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.18	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.58	1.44	+4.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.61	3.45	+12.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

REMX vs. IYH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is higher than the IYH Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX and IYH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	REMX	IYH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	1.02	+1.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.33	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.56	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.10	0.43	-0.53

Drawdowns

REMX vs. IYH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, which is greater than IYH's maximum drawdown of -43.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and IYH.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMX	IYH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.20%	-43.12%	-47.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.35%	-10.64%	-12.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.11%	-17.91%	-44.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.34%	-17.91%	-55.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.34%	-28.40%	-44.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-59.97%	-4.56%	-55.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.86%	-8.96%	-57.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.34%	4.43%	+3.91%

Volatility

REMX vs. IYH - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a higher volatility of 14.39% compared to iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) at 4.97%. This indicates that REMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REMX	IYH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.39%	4.97%	+9.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.93%	10.67%	+25.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.92%	15.03%	+33.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.41%	14.97%	+25.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.04%	16.74%	+20.30%

REMX vs. IYH - Expense Ratio Comparison

REMX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than IYH's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

REMX vs. IYH - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, more than IYH's 1.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYH iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF	1.26%	1.19%	1.25%	1.18%	1.10%	0.94%	1.16%	1.14%	1.95%	1.10%	1.29%	2.02%
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	1.49%	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 IYH in my portfolio?

REMX and IYH have a correlation of 0.15, 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 IYH?

REMX has higher volatility (14.39%) compared to IYH (4.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs IYH's -43.12%.

Which ETF is better, REMX or IYH?

On 10-year performance, IYH leads with 9.38% vs 9.04% for REMX. On fees, IYH is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, IYH has been the lower-risk option at 4.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REMX or IYH?

Over the 10-year period, IYH has performed better with a 9.38% return vs 9.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REMX or IYH?

IYH is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for REMX.

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

REMX has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 1.26% for IYH.

What is the main difference between REMX and IYH?

REMX is categorized as Materials, while IYH is Health & Biotech Equities. REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while IYH tracks Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for REMX and 0.43% for IYH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.02), 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.