REXC vs. VDE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

REXC (Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REXC is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China Index, while VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Their -0.22 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. REXC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

REXC vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

REXC

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: -19.54%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

VDE

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: 11.65%
• 6M: 18.28%
• YTD: 35.06%
• 1Y: 43.90%
• 3Y*: 14.78%
• 5Y*: 23.63%
• 10Y*: 10.12%
• ALL TIME*: 8.33%

*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)
REXC Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF	$1.18M	$1.25M	$2.12M
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	$73.73M	$73.82M	$109.36M

REXC vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
REXC Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF	-23.94%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	6.56%

Correlation

The correlation between REXC and VDE is -0.22, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2026	-0.22

Return for Risk

REXC vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks 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.

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 76
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

REXC vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). 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	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.98	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.55	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.32	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.75	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	7.42	—

Drawdowns

REXC vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REXC drawdown since its inception was -38.04%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REXC and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	REXC	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.04%	-74.20%	+36.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-15.04%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.41%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.58%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-69.29%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-34.92%	-4.44%	-30.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.91%	-19.89%	+5.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.59%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	REXC	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.99%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	16.66%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.30%	20.95%	+28.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.30%	26.14%	+23.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.30%	29.90%	+19.40%

REXC vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

REXC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

REXC vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

REXC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.40%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.40%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REXC and VDE in my portfolio?

REXC and VDE have a correlation of -0.22, 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 VDE?

On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, REXC or VDE?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for REXC.

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

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 0.00% for REXC.

What is the main difference between REXC and VDE?

REXC is categorized as Rare Earth & Strategic Metals, while VDE is Energy Equities. REXC tracks Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China Index, while VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for REXC and 0.09% for VDE.