REMX vs. VTI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REMX is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REMX returned 5.71%/yr vs 14.66%/yr for VTI. Their 0.55 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. REMX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

REMX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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 VTI's 12.18% return. Over the past 10 years, REMX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 5.71%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.66% annualized 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%

VTI

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: 1.38%
• 6M: 9.81%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 1Y: 23.70%
• 3Y*: 20.38%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: 14.66%
• ALL TIME*: 9.64%

*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
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.08B	$1.16B	$1.24B

REMX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	-8.51%	92.95%	-35.02%	-19.18%	-31.13%	79.81%	64.82%	0.74%	-49.63%	82.60%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.18%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and VTI is 0.45, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2010	0.55

The correlation between REMX and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (3 years) to 0.55 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

REMX vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REMX	VTI
Basic Materials	100.0%	1.9%
Communication Services	-	9.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.3%
Energy	-	3.2%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Healthcare	-	9.7%
Industrials	-	10.2%
Real Estate	-	2.3%
Technology	-	36.1%
Utilities	-	2.2%

Return for Risk

REMX vs. VTI — 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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 78
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	1.82	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	2.52	-1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.32	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.97	2.67	-1.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.93	11.50	-8.57

REMX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX and VTI, 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. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.20%	-55.45%	-34.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.03%	-8.92%	-32.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.11%	-19.30%	-38.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.34%	-25.36%	-47.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.34%	-35.00%	-38.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-69.03%	0.00%	-69.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.81%	-7.98%	-58.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.50%	2.07%	+11.43%

Volatility

REMX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a higher volatility of 12.38% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 3.78%. This indicates that REMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REMX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.38%	3.78%	+8.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.40%	10.33%	+26.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.95%	13.08%	+36.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.59%	17.53%	+23.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.32%	18.31%	+19.01%

REMX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

REMX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

REMX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, more than VTI's 1.04% 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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REMX and VTI in my portfolio?

REMX and VTI have a correlation of 0.45, 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 VTI?

REMX has higher volatility (12.38%) compared to VTI (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, REMX or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.66% vs 5.71% for REMX. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 3.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REMX or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 14.66% return vs 5.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REMX or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for REMX.

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

REMX has the higher dividend yield at 1.92%, compared with 1.04% for VTI.

What is the main difference between REMX and VTI?

REMX is categorized as Rare Earth & Strategic Metals, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for REMX and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 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.