REMX vs. QTUM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) and QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REMX is a Materials fund tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, REMX returned 3.01%/yr vs 27.81%/yr for QTUM. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. REMX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for QTUM.

Performance

REMX vs. QTUM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). 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 lower than QTUM's 44.14% return.

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%

QTUM

• 1D: 3.25%
• 1M: 8.85%
• YTD: 44.14%
• 6M: 39.20%
• 1Y: 80.80%
• 3Y*: 48.48%
• 5Y*: 27.81%
• 10Y*: —

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

REMX vs. QTUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	18.26%	92.95%	-35.02%	-19.18%	-31.13%	79.81%	64.82%	0.74%	-21.60%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	44.14%	36.65%	50.54%	39.86%	-28.80%	35.18%	42.05%	47.99%	-19.02%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and QTUM is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2018	0.56

The correlation between REMX and QTUM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

REMX vs. QTUM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REMX	QTUM
Basic Materials	100.0%	-
Communication Services	-	4.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.6%
Industrials	-	8.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	85.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

REMX vs. QTUM — 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

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 89
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. QTUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). 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	QTUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.94	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	3.42	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.47	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.58	5.32	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.61	19.76	-4.15
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. QTUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the QTUM Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX and QTUM, 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	QTUM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	2.94	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	1.04	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.10	1.03	-1.13

Drawdowns

REMX vs. QTUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, which is greater than QTUM's maximum drawdown of -38.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and QTUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMX	QTUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.20%	-38.45%	-51.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.35%	-15.26%	-8.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.11%	-25.39%	-36.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.34%	-38.45%	-34.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-59.97%	-6.53%	-53.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.86%	-8.25%	-58.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.34%	4.10%	+4.24%

Volatility

REMX vs. QTUM - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a higher volatility of 14.39% compared to Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) at 13.41%. This indicates that REMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QTUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REMX	QTUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.39%	13.41%	+0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.93%	22.31%	+13.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.92%	27.73%	+21.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.41%	26.85%	+13.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.04%	27.34%	+9.70%

REMX vs. QTUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

REMX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than QTUM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

REMX vs. QTUM - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, more than QTUM's 0.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.74%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 QTUM in my portfolio?

REMX and QTUM have a correlation of 0.48, 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 QTUM?

REMX has higher volatility (14.39%) compared to QTUM (13.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs QTUM's -38.45%.

Which ETF is better, REMX or QTUM?

On 5-year performance, QTUM leads with 27.81% vs 3.01% for REMX. On fees, QTUM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, QTUM has been the lower-risk option at 13.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REMX or QTUM?

Over the 5-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 27.81% return vs 3.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REMX or QTUM?

QTUM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for REMX.

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

REMX has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.74% for QTUM.

What is the main difference between REMX and QTUM?

REMX is categorized as Materials, while QTUM is Technology Equities. REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while QTUM tracks BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for REMX and 0.40% for QTUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.67), 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.