REMX vs. UTES

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) and UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REMX is a Materials fund tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. REMX is passively managed, while UTES is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, REMX returned 9.04%/yr vs 12.13%/yr for UTES. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. REMX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for UTES.

Performance

REMX vs. UTES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). 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 UTES's -1.37% return. Over the past 10 years, REMX has underperformed UTES with an annualized return of 9.04%, while UTES has yielded a comparatively higher 12.13% annualized 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%

UTES

• 1D: -1.59%
• 1M: -4.22%
• YTD: -1.37%
• 6M: -0.95%
• 1Y: 8.05%
• 3Y*: 21.42%
• 5Y*: 15.20%
• 10Y*: 12.13%

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

REMX vs. UTES - 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%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	-1.37%	25.71%	45.35%	-2.46%	0.80%	20.74%	-0.30%	25.48%	5.14%	14.21%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and UTES is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2015	0.17

REMX vs. UTES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

REMX vs. UTES — 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

UTES

UTES Risk / Return Rank: 16
UTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
UTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
UTES Omega Ratio Rank: 15
UTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
UTES Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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. UTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). 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	UTES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	0.38	+2.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	0.66	+2.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.08	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.58	0.58	+5.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.61	1.31	+14.30
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. UTES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is higher than the UTES Sharpe Ratio of 0.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX and UTES, 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	UTES	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	0.38	+2.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.74	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.60	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.10	0.69	-0.79

Drawdowns

REMX vs. UTES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, which is greater than UTES's maximum drawdown of -35.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and UTES.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMX	UTES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.20%	-35.39%	-54.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.35%	-13.88%	-9.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.11%	-17.62%	-44.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.34%	-20.40%	-52.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.34%	-35.39%	-37.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-59.97%	-10.57%	-49.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.86%	-5.53%	-61.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.34%	6.16%	+2.18%

Volatility

REMX vs. UTES - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a higher volatility of 14.39% compared to Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) at 7.30%. This indicates that REMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UTES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REMX	UTES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.39%	7.30%	+7.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.93%	16.99%	+18.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.92%	21.27%	+27.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.41%	20.61%	+19.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.04%	20.17%	+16.87%

REMX vs. UTES - Expense Ratio Comparison

REMX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than UTES's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

REMX vs. UTES - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, less than UTES's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	1.52%	1.42%	1.51%	2.44%	2.13%	1.94%	2.09%	1.84%	2.09%	3.44%	3.53%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REMX and UTES in my portfolio?

REMX and UTES have a correlation of 0.21, 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 UTES?

REMX has higher volatility (14.39%) compared to UTES (7.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs UTES's -35.39%.

Which ETF is better, REMX or UTES?

On 10-year performance, UTES leads with 12.13% vs 9.04% for REMX. On fees, UTES is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, UTES has been the lower-risk option at 7.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REMX or UTES?

Over the 10-year period, UTES has performed better with a 12.13% 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 UTES?

UTES is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for REMX.

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

UTES has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 1.49% for REMX.

What is the main difference between REMX and UTES?

REMX is categorized as Materials, while UTES is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for REMX and 0.49% for UTES.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 0.38), 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.