REXC vs. MDST

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

REXC (Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF) and MDST (Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REXC is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China Index, while MDST is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by Westwood. REXC is passively managed, while MDST is actively managed. At a correlation of -0.32, they often move in opposite directions. REXC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for MDST.

Performance

REXC vs. MDST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) and Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

REXC

• 1D: -4.27%
• 1M: -13.10%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MDST

• 1D: 1.44%
• 1M: 2.50%
• 6M: 19.86%
• YTD: 18.55%
• 1Y: 22.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

REXC vs. MDST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
REXC Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF	-12.71%
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	8.19%

Correlation

The correlation between REXC and MDST is -0.32, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2026	-0.32

Return for Risk

REXC vs. MDST — 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.

MDST

MDST Risk / Return Rank: 72
MDST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
MDST Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
MDST Omega Ratio Rank: 69
MDST Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
MDST Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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. MDST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) and Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST). 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	MDST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.80	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.62	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.32	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.41	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	9.13	—

Drawdowns

REXC vs. MDST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REXC drawdown since its inception was -25.31%, which is greater than MDST's maximum drawdown of -14.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REXC and MDST.

Drawdown Indicators

	REXC	MDST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.31%	-14.19%	-11.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.31%	-0.50%	-24.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.88%	-2.20%	-7.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.51%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	REXC	MDST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.49%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.98%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.36%	12.80%	+37.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.36%	16.12%	+34.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.36%	16.12%	+34.24%

REXC vs. MDST - Expense Ratio Comparison

REXC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than MDST's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

REXC vs. MDST - Dividend Comparison

REXC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MDST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.11%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	9.11%	10.22%	6.60%
REXC Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REXC and MDST in my portfolio?

REXC and MDST have a correlation of -0.32, 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 MDST?

On fees, REXC is cheaper at 0.65% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, REXC or MDST?

REXC is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for MDST.

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

MDST has the higher dividend yield at 9.11%, compared with 0.00% for REXC.

What is the main difference between REXC and MDST?

REXC is categorized as Rare Earth & Strategic Metals, while MDST is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Westwood. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for REXC and 0.80% for MDST.