REXC vs. IHE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

REXC (Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF) and IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China Index, while IHE is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. REXC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IHE.

Performance

REXC vs. IHE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

REXC

• 1D: -4.49%
• 1M: 2.64%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IHE

• 1D: 2.69%
• 1M: 3.48%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 6M: 12.42%
• 1Y: 43.59%
• 3Y*: 18.33%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 7.97%

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

REXC vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
REXC Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF	7.90%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	5.82%

Correlation

The correlation between REXC and IHE is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2026	0.18

Return for Risk

REXC vs. IHE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IHE

IHE Risk / Return Rank: 81
IHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
IHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
IHE Omega Ratio Rank: 73
IHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IHE Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

REXC vs. IHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	REXC	IHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.55	0.51	+1.04

Drawdowns

REXC vs. IHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REXC drawdown since its inception was -16.41%, smaller than the maximum IHE drawdown of -38.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REXC and IHE.

Drawdown Indicators

	REXC	IHE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.41%	-38.20%	+21.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.47%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.92%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-29.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.86%	-0.18%	-4.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.74%	-7.92%	+3.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.81%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	REXC	IHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	6.04%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.70%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.48%	17.26%	+32.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.48%	16.28%	+33.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.48%	18.07%	+31.41%

REXC vs. IHE - Expense Ratio Comparison

REXC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than IHE's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

REXC vs. IHE - Dividend Comparison

REXC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.61%	1.76%	1.73%	1.39%	2.01%	1.49%	1.19%	1.40%	1.25%	1.36%	0.92%	1.93%
REXC Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REXC and IHE in my portfolio?

REXC and IHE have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, REXC or IHE?

On fees, IHE is cheaper at 0.42% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, REXC or IHE?

IHE is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for REXC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, REXC or IHE?

IHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.00% for REXC.

What is the main difference between REXC and IHE?

REXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while IHE is Health & Biotech Equities. REXC tracks Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China Index, while IHE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for REXC and 0.42% for IHE.