Rare Earths ETFs — Complete List of Rare Earths ETFs (2026)

A group of 17 metallic elements — including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium — that are critical inputs for advanced technologies such as permanent magnets, phosphors, and catalysts. Despite the name, most REEs are not particularly rare in the Earth’s crust, but they are rarely found in economically mineable concentrations and processing them is technically demanding.

Permanent magnets made from rare earth elements — particularly neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium — are the most powerful commercially available magnets. They are essential components in the motors of electric vehicles, generators in wind turbines, and hard disk drives. Demand for these magnets is a primary driver of rare earth demand growth in the energy transition.

Rare earth elements are typically found together in ore deposits and must be chemically separated into individual elements before use. This process is technically complex and expensive, and China currently dominates global rare earth separation capacity. Developing ex-China separation capability is a key strategic goal for Western governments and a major challenge for rare earth companies operating outside China.

An “ex-China” investment strategy explicitly excludes companies listed on Chinese stock exchanges or otherwise classified as Chinese securities. In the context of rare earths, ex-China exposure is sought by investors who want to reduce geopolitical risk given China’s dominant position in the global rare earth supply chain — controlling roughly 85–90% of global rare earth processing capacity.

The MVIS (Market Vectors Index Solutions) Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index is the benchmark tracked by REMX. It covers companies that generate at least 50% of their revenues from rare earth and strategic metals operations. The index is global in scope and includes Chinese-listed companies, which distinguishes it from ex-China alternatives.

The annual fee charged by an ETF to cover management, administration, and operational costs, expressed as a percentage of assets under management. A lower expense ratio means less drag on returns over time.

The total market value of all investments managed by an ETF. Higher AUM generally indicates greater liquidity, tighter bid-ask spreads, and lower trading costs for investors. AUM fluctuates with market prices and fund inflows or outflows.

The VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) is by far the largest rare earths ETF, with approximately $2.6 billion in AUM as of April 2026. It has been the dominant vehicle for rare earth exposure since its launch in 2010 and remains the most liquid option for investors seeking broad rare earth and strategic metals coverage.

REMX (VanEck) tracks the MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index and includes a broad range of rare earth and strategic metals companies, including Chinese-listed stocks. EART (Global X) tracks the Solactive Rare Earth & Critical Materials Index, which covers a wider basket of critical materials including copper, lithium, and other industrial metals alongside rare earths. REMX is relatively more concentrated in rare earths compared to EART, though it still includes adjacent strategic metals such as lithium and cobalt. EART has the broader mandate of the two, with significant copper and platinum group metals exposure.

REXC is the Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF, launched on April 15, 2026. It tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China Index, which screens out Chinese-listed securities while investing in rare earth companies globally. This makes REXC a distinctive option for investors seeking targeted rare earth exposure outside of China. Top holdings include Lynas Rare Earths (Australia), MP Materials (USA), and Arafura Rare Earths (Australia).

Rare earths ETFs provide exposure to a critical segment of the energy transition supply chain, as rare earth elements are essential for permanent magnets used in electric motors and wind turbines. Demand is expected to grow significantly as EV adoption and renewable energy deployment accelerate. However, these ETFs carry significant risks including commodity price volatility, geopolitical concentration in China’s supply chain, and the small-cap nature of many rare earth companies. They are best suited for investors with a high risk tolerance and a long-term thematic conviction.

The Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) is specifically designed to exclude Chinese-listed securities. Launched in April 2026, it tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China Index and focuses predominantly on US, Australian, and Canadian rare earth companies. REMX and EART both include Chinese-listed companies in their portfolios.

Rare earth elements are used in a wide range of advanced technology applications. Key uses include permanent magnets (neodymium, dysprosium, praseodymium) for EV motors, wind turbine generators, and hard disk drives; phosphors (europium, terbium) for displays and lighting; catalysts for oil refining; and components in smartphones, defence systems, and medical devices. Their irreplaceable role in clean energy technology makes them strategically important for the energy transition.