SCOP vs. ISTM

Last updated Jun 27, 2026

SCOP (Sprott Physical Copper Trust) and ISTM (iShares Strategic Metals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCOP is a Copper fund actively managed by Sprott, while ISTM is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index. SCOP is actively managed, while ISTM is passively managed. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCOP charges 1.30%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for ISTM.

Performance

SCOP vs. ISTM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Physical Copper Trust (SCOP) and iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

SCOP

• 1D: 1.93%
• 1M: -3.01%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ISTM

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: -11.23%
• YTD: 1.23%
• 6M: -3.34%
• 1Y: 35.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCOP vs. ISTM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
SCOP Sprott Physical Copper Trust	-3.17%
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF	-8.11%

Correlation

The correlation between SCOP and ISTM is 0.61, 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 May 4, 2026	0.61

Return for Risk

SCOP vs. ISTM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCOP

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

ISTM

ISTM Risk / Return Rank: 31
ISTM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
ISTM Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
ISTM Omega Ratio Rank: 36
ISTM Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
ISTM Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

SCOP vs. ISTM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Physical Copper Trust (SCOP) and iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM). 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.

	SCOP	ISTM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.09	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.43	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.22	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.54	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	3.54	—

Drawdowns

SCOP vs. ISTM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCOP drawdown since its inception was -13.22%, smaller than the maximum ISTM drawdown of -22.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCOP and ISTM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCOP	ISTM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.22%	-22.47%	+9.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-22.47%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.09%	-20.40%	+9.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.54%	-6.70%	+0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	9.76%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SCOP	ISTM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.85%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	28.92%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.87%	31.69%	+9.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.87%	24.36%	+16.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.87%	24.36%	+16.51%

SCOP vs. ISTM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCOP has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTM's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCOP vs. ISTM - Dividend Comparison

SCOP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ISTM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.60%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF	14.60%	14.78%	29.62%	1.02%
SCOP Sprott Physical Copper Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCOP and ISTM in my portfolio?

SCOP and ISTM have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SCOP or ISTM?

On fees, ISTM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCOP or ISTM?

ISTM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 1.30% for SCOP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCOP or ISTM?

ISTM has the higher dividend yield at 14.60%, compared with 0.00% for SCOP.

What is the main difference between SCOP and ISTM?

SCOP is categorized as Copper, while ISTM is Rare Earth & Strategic Metals. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.30% for SCOP and 0.49% for ISTM.