Best Rare Earth ETFs: REMX, REXC, EART and WDIG Compared
Rare earth ETFs give investors a basket of rare earth miners, processors and magnet suppliers in one trade. Four rare earth ETFs dominate the US market as of October 2026, and they differ more than their names suggest. The table below compares fees, size and what each fund actually holds.
| Ticker | Fund | Expense ratio | Net assets | Launched | Approach | Holdings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REMX | VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | 0.58% | $1.48B (Oct 23, 2026) | Oct 2010 | Index: MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals | 36 |
| REXC | Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF | 0.65% | $66.5M (Oct 23, 2026) | Apr 2026 | Index: Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China | 41 |
| EART | Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF | 0.59% | $45.9M (Aug 31, 2026) | Jan 2022 (as DMAT) | Index: Solactive Rare Earth and Critical Materials | 50 |
| WDIG | WisdomTree Efficient Rare Earth Plus Strategic Metals Fund | 0.55% | About $3.7M (Oct 14, 2026) | May 2026 | Active: miners plus base and precious metal futures | 20+ equities |
Sources: issuer fund pages and fact sheets (VanEck, Sprott, Global X, WisdomTree). The WDIG asset figure comes from third-party listings. Figures change daily, so check the issuer page before you invest.
Rare Earth ETFs at a Glance
Source: Issuer websites
Updated: Oct 2026
Source: WisdomTree
Updated: Oct 2026
Source: VanEck
Updated: Oct 23, 2026
How the Four Rare Earth ETFs Differ
REMX: VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF
Largest and oldest. Large lithium weight; includes Chinese producers.
REXC: Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF
Most concentrated rare earth exposure; excludes China. MP and Lynas are about 40% combined.
EART: Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF
Renamed from Global X Disruptive Materials (DMAT) in March 2026.
WDIG: WisdomTree Efficient Rare Earth Plus Strategic Metals Fund
About half the portfolio is metal futures, none of them rare earths. Very small fund.
REMX is the benchmark rare earth ETF for liquidity and history, but it is a strategic metals fund as much as a rare earth fund. In October 2026 its largest positions were lithium producers SQM and Albemarle, ahead of China Northern Rare Earth, MP Materials and Lynas. REXC is the closest thing to a pure rare earth basket, and it excludes Chinese companies. That makes REXC a direct bet on non-China supply chains, with heavy concentration in MP Materials and Lynas.
How to Compare Rare Earth ETFs
Comparing rare earth ETFs comes down to five checks.
- Rare earth share of holdings. Read the holdings list, not the fund name. Lithium, uranium and base metal miners dilute rare earth exposure.
- China exposure. Funds that hold Chinese producers track China's market; ex-China funds track the Western supply chain build-out.
- Concentration. When two stocks are 40% of a fund, the ETF behaves much like those two stocks.
- Size and liquidity. Funds with very small assets can have wide bid-ask spreads and face closure risk.
- Expense ratio. Fees range from 0.55% to 0.65%. Fee differences matter less than the holdings differences above.
Which Rare Earth ETF Fits Which Investor
| If you want | Consider | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| The most liquid, established fund | REMX | Large lithium weight; includes China |
| Concentrated rare earth exposure outside China | REXC | Higher fee; small and young fund; two stocks dominate |
| Broader critical materials basket | EART | Small fund; rare earths are one theme among several |
| Miners combined with metal futures | WDIG | Very small; futures are not rare earths |
| Only a small rare earth tilt | Broad mining funds | Rare earth exposure is minimal |
Rare Earth ETFs vs Individual Stocks
Rare earth ETFs spread single-company risk, which matters in a sector where one plant outage or one export rule can move a stock 30% in a day. Individual rare earth stocks offer more precise exposure, for example to separation capacity or magnet production, but each carries project and financing risk. Many investors hold a rare earth ETF as the core and add individual names from the rare earth stock watchlist.
Rare Earth ETF FAQ
What is the best rare earth ETF?
No single rare earth ETF is best for every investor. REMX is the largest and most liquid rare earth ETF, but a large part of it is lithium producers. REXC gives the most concentrated rare earth exposure and excludes China, at a higher 0.65% fee and with far fewer assets.
Is REMX a pure rare earth ETF?
No. REMX tracks rare earth and strategic metals companies, so lithium producers such as SQM and Albemarle are among its largest holdings. Rare earth producers like China Northern Rare Earth, MP Materials and Lynas make up a smaller share of the fund.
Do rare earth ETFs hold physical rare earth metals?
No. Rare earth ETFs hold shares of mining, processing and materials companies. WDIG also holds metal futures, but those are base and precious metals such as copper, nickel and silver, not rare earths. There is no liquid exchange-traded futures market for rare earth oxides.
Which rare earth ETF excludes China?
The Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) excludes companies domiciled or primarily operating in China. REMX and EART can hold Chinese producers, which matters if you want exposure to non-China supply chains specifically.
Why are rare earth ETF expense ratios higher than broad index funds?
Rare earth ETF expense ratios run from 0.55% to 0.65% because the funds are small, specialized and hold many foreign-listed stocks. Broad materials funds such as XLB charge far less, but rare earth companies are only a tiny part of those portfolios.
This page compares funds for research purposes and is not investment advice. See the disclaimer.