REXC vs. ION

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

REXC (Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF) and ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REXC is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China Index, while ION is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. REXC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for ION.

Performance

REXC vs. ION - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) and Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

REXC

• 1D: -2.30%
• 1M: -8.60%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ION

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: -12.66%
• YTD: 1.72%
• 6M: -1.58%
• 1Y: 90.28%
• 3Y*: 14.52%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

REXC vs. ION - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
REXC Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF	-1.58%
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	-17.07%

Correlation

The correlation between REXC and ION is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2026	0.73

Return for Risk

REXC vs. ION — Risk / Return Rank

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

REXC

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

ION

ION Risk / Return Rank: 73
ION Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ION Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ION Omega Ratio Rank: 64
ION Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
ION Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. ION - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) and Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION). 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.

	REXC	ION	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.29	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.68	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.34	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.90	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.42	—

Drawdowns

REXC vs. ION - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REXC drawdown since its inception was -21.22%, smaller than the maximum ION drawdown of -52.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REXC and ION.

Drawdown Indicators

	REXC	ION	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.22%	-52.08%	+30.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-23.30%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-46.47%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.78%	-23.27%	+7.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.36%	-23.59%	+16.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.93%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	REXC	ION	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	13.80%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	32.19%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	53.49%	39.66%	+13.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	53.49%	31.58%	+21.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.49%	31.58%	+21.91%

REXC vs. ION - Expense Ratio Comparison

REXC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ION's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

REXC vs. ION - Dividend Comparison

REXC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ION's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.57%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	1.57%	1.63%	1.74%	2.23%	0.13%
REXC Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REXC and ION in my portfolio?

REXC and ION have a correlation of 0.73, 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 ION?

On fees, ION is cheaper at 0.58% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, REXC or ION?

ION is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for REXC.

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

ION has the higher dividend yield at 1.57%, compared with 0.00% for REXC.

What is the main difference between REXC and ION?

REXC is categorized as Rare Earth & Strategic Metals, while ION is Lithium & Battery Metals. REXC tracks Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China Index, while ION tracks S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for REXC and 0.58% for ION.