REMX vs. RIO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

REMX (VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF) is Materials fund tracking the MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while RIO (Rio Tinto Group) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, REMX returned 10.14%/yr vs 22.38%/yr for RIO. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

REMX vs. RIO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Rio Tinto Group (RIO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REMX achieves a 33.01% return, which is significantly lower than RIO's 38.54% return. Over the past 10 years, REMX has underperformed RIO with an annualized return of 10.14%, while RIO has yielded a comparatively higher 22.38% annualized return.

REMX

• 1D: -3.78%
• 1M: -3.72%
• YTD: 33.01%
• 6M: 37.14%
• 1Y: 172.35%
• 3Y*: 6.84%
• 5Y*: 4.50%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

RIO

• 1D: -3.41%
• 1M: 9.36%
• YTD: 38.54%
• 6M: 49.27%
• 1Y: 92.97%
• 3Y*: 27.11%
• 5Y*: 11.69%
• 10Y*: 22.38%

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

REMX vs. RIO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
REMX VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF	33.01%	92.95%	-35.02%	-19.18%	-31.13%	79.81%	64.82%	0.74%	-49.63%	82.60%
RIO Rio Tinto Group	38.54%	44.47%	-15.36%	11.06%	18.48%	-3.67%	36.22%	33.18%	-2.93%	44.87%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and RIO is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2010	0.58

The correlation between REMX and RIO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

REMX vs. RIO — 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: 80
REMX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
REMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
REMX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

RIO

RIO Risk / Return Rank: 94
RIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
RIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
RIO Omega Ratio Rank: 92
RIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
RIO 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. RIO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Rio Tinto Group (RIO). 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	RIO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.61	3.29	+0.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.66	3.81	-0.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.50	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.43	6.16	+1.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	21.32	24.21	-2.89
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. RIO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 3.61, which is comparable to the RIO Sharpe Ratio of 3.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX and RIO, 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	RIO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61	3.29	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.40	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.73	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.34	-0.41

Drawdowns

REMX vs. RIO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, roughly equal to the maximum RIO drawdown of -88.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and RIO.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMX	RIO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.20%	-88.97%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.35%	-15.19%	-8.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.11%	-24.19%	-37.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.34%	-35.25%	-38.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.34%	-37.47%	-35.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-54.98%	-3.73%	-51.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.87%	-23.78%	-43.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.12%	3.85%	+4.27%

Volatility

REMX vs. RIO - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a higher volatility of 13.02% compared to Rio Tinto Group (RIO) at 11.49%. This indicates that REMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RIO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REMX	RIO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.02%	11.49%	+1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.77%	23.38%	+11.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.11%	28.44%	+19.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.24%	29.16%	+11.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.94%	30.66%	+6.28%

Dividends

REMX vs. RIO - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, less than RIO's 3.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
REMX VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF	1.32%	1.76%	2.56%	0.00%	1.56%	5.25%	0.81%	1.64%	12.43%	2.89%	2.23%	4.77%
RIO Rio Tinto Group	3.73%	4.66%	7.40%	5.40%	10.48%	10.23%	5.13%	7.68%	6.32%	4.47%	3.93%	7.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REMX and RIO in my portfolio?

REMX and RIO have a correlation of 0.56, 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 RIO?

REMX has higher volatility (13.02%) compared to RIO (11.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs RIO's -88.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.61 vs 3.29), 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.