Core Insights - The article discusses the rising interest in rare earth minerals and the performance of related ETFs, highlighting their importance in strategic industries like semiconductors and defense [1][4]. ETF Performance - VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has seen a 79% increase in 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which is up around 18% [2]. - Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM) has also performed well, with an 82% increase in the same period [11]. Global Diversification - Many companies within these ETFs are based outside the U.S., including markets in Australia, Canada, Chile, China, and Europe, which provides investors with international exposure [3][5]. - The VanEck ETF allocates 28% of its assets to China and 24% to Australia, with only 20% in U.S. stocks, emphasizing its global approach [6]. ETF Characteristics - The VanEck ETF has $1.3 billion in assets and charges an annual fee of 0.58%, while the Sprott ETF has $161 million in assets and charges 0.65% [7][11]. - Sprott's ETF has a broader focus on materials essential for clean energy, with 24% in uranium and 20% in lithium, compared to the more dedicated rare earth focus of VanEck [7][8]. Market Dynamics - The demand for rare earth minerals is currently high, influenced by geopolitical tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, which are using these resources as bargaining chips [9][10]. - The volatility of these ETFs is notable, with significant fluctuations in past years due to changing supply and demand dynamics [10].