REMX vs. SETM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) and SETM (Sprott Critical Materials ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REMX is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while SETM is a Materials fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Critical Materials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, REMX returned -4.05%/yr vs 19.75%/yr for SETM. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. REMX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for SETM.

Performance

REMX vs. SETM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REMX achieves a -8.51% return, which is significantly lower than SETM's 0.76% 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%

SETM

• 1D: 2.46%
• 1M: -6.69%
• 6M: -16.17%
• YTD: 0.76%
• 1Y: 58.99%
• 3Y*: 19.75%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.92%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	$46.30M	$55.44M	$85.35M
SETM Sprott Critical Materials ETF	$3.40M	$4.60M	$7.57M

REMX vs. SETM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	-8.51%	92.95%	-35.02%	-36.86%
SETM Sprott Critical Materials ETF	0.76%	95.27%	-13.24%	-13.11%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and SETM is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2023	0.83

The correlation between REMX and SETM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

REMX vs. SETM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REMX	SETM
Basic Materials	100.0%	74.1%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	0.1%
Energy	-	25.1%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

REMX vs. SETM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

REMX

REMX Risk / Return Rank: 33
REMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
REMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
REMX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
REMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
REMX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

SETM

SETM Risk / Return Rank: 48
SETM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SETM Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
SETM Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SETM Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SETM Martin Ratio Rank: 43

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

REMX vs. SETM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM). 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	SETM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	1.27	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	1.74	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.22	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.97	1.97	-1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.93	4.83	-1.89

REMX vs. SETM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is lower than the SETM Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX and SETM, 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. SETM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, which is greater than SETM's maximum drawdown of -42.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and SETM.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMX	SETM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.20%	-42.81%	-47.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.03%	-30.05%	-10.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.11%	-42.81%	-15.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.34%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-69.03%	-26.58%	-42.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.81%	-15.35%	-51.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.50%	12.25%	+1.25%

Volatility

REMX vs. SETM - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM) have volatilities of 12.38% and 12.41%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REMX	SETM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.38%	12.41%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.40%	36.16%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.95%	46.90%	+3.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.59%	37.25%	+3.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.32%	37.25%	+0.07%

REMX vs. SETM - Expense Ratio Comparison

REMX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than SETM's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

REMX vs. SETM - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, more than SETM's 1.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SETM Sprott Critical Materials ETF	1.55%	1.56%	2.07%	2.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REMX and SETM in my portfolio?

REMX and SETM have a correlation of 0.84, 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 SETM?

SETM has higher volatility (12.41%) compared to REMX (12.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs SETM's -42.81%.

Which ETF is better, REMX or SETM?

On 3-year performance, SETM leads with 19.75% vs -4.05% for REMX. On fees, REMX is cheaper at 0.59% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REMX or SETM?

Over the 3-year period, SETM has performed better with a 19.75% return vs -4.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REMX or SETM?

REMX is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SETM.

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

REMX has the higher dividend yield at 1.92%, compared with 1.55% for SETM.

What is the main difference between REMX and SETM?

REMX is categorized as Rare Earth & Strategic Metals, while SETM is Materials. REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while SETM tracks Nasdaq Sprott Critical Materials Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for REMX and 0.65% for SETM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SETM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 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.