SLX vs. MMKT

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SLX (VanEck Vectors Steel ETF) and MMKT (Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SLX is a Materials fund tracking the NYSE Arca Steel Index, while MMKT is a Money Market fund actively managed by Texas Capital. SLX is passively managed, while MMKT is actively managed. Over the past year, SLX returned 67.37% vs 3.79% for MMKT. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. SLX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for MMKT.

Performance

SLX vs. MMKT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX) and Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF (MMKT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLX achieves a 23.47% return, which is significantly higher than MMKT's 1.62% return.

SLX

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: -1.77%
• YTD: 23.47%
• 6M: 23.68%
• 1Y: 67.37%
• 3Y*: 22.45%
• 5Y*: 15.96%
• 10Y*: 19.18%

MMKT

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 3.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SLX vs. MMKT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SLX VanEck Vectors Steel ETF	23.47%	47.45%	-12.48%
MMKT Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF	1.62%	4.13%	1.22%

Correlation

The correlation between SLX and MMKT is -0.15, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2024	-0.03

The correlation between SLX and MMKT shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to -0.03 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SLX vs. MMKT — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLX

SLX Risk / Return Rank: 81
SLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
SLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SLX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
SLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SLX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

MMKT

MMKT Risk / Return Rank: 100
MMKT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
MMKT Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
MMKT Omega Ratio Rank: 100
MMKT Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
MMKT Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

SLX vs. MMKT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX) and Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF (MMKT). 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.

	SLX	MMKT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	16.76	-14.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	62.94	-59.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	15.54	-14.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.14	152.72	-148.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.09	913.70	-899.62

SLX vs. MMKT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is lower than the MMKT Sharpe Ratio of 16.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLX and MMKT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SLX vs. MMKT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLX drawdown since its inception was -82.14%, which is greater than MMKT's maximum drawdown of -0.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLX and MMKT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLX	MMKT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.14%	-0.04%	-82.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.35%	-0.02%	-16.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.39%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.74%	0.00%	-7.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.64%	-0.00%	-38.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.80%	0.00%	+4.80%

Volatility

SLX vs. MMKT - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX) has a higher volatility of 9.00% compared to Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF (MMKT) at 0.05%. This indicates that SLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MMKT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLX	MMKT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.00%	0.05%	+8.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.04%	0.13%	+18.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.05%	0.23%	+24.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.81%	0.23%	+27.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.00%	0.23%	+30.77%

SLX vs. MMKT - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than MMKT's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLX vs. MMKT - Dividend Comparison

SLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, less than MMKT's 3.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MMKT Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF	3.71%	3.98%	1.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SLX VanEck Vectors Steel ETF	1.26%	1.55%	3.56%	2.80%	4.97%	7.07%	1.87%	3.44%	6.26%	2.50%	1.06%	5.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLX and MMKT in my portfolio?

SLX and MMKT have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLX or MMKT?

SLX has higher volatility (9.00%) compared to MMKT (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLX dropped -82.14% vs MMKT's -0.04%.

Which ETF is better, SLX or MMKT?

On 1-year performance, SLX leads with 67.37% vs 3.79% for MMKT. On fees, MMKT is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, MMKT has been the lower-risk option at 0.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLX or MMKT?

Over the 1-year period, SLX has performed better with a 67.37% return vs 3.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLX or MMKT?

MMKT is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for SLX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SLX or MMKT?

MMKT has the higher dividend yield at 3.71%, compared with 1.26% for SLX.

What is the main difference between SLX and MMKT?

SLX is categorized as Materials, while MMKT is Money Market. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Texas Capital. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for SLX and 0.20% for MMKT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MMKT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (16.76 vs 2.71), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.