Investor appetite for gold, which is considered a safe haven during times of volatility, continues to be strong. The price of the gold has nearly doubled over the past year as many investors have turned to the precious metal as a store of value amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The seeming resolution, or at least a path toward one, of affairs involving the U.S., Greenland and mainland Europe appeared last week to have marked a cooling of geopolitical fears. Some analysts though, have said a broade ...

Core Viewpoint - The Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC) is set to launch, focusing on rare earth elements while excluding Chinese companies, reflecting a growing demand for non-China sources amid geopolitical tensions and energy transition efforts [1][2]. Group 1: ETF Overview - Sprott Asset Management has filed for the Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC), which could launch by April and will trade on Nasdaq [1]. - This ETF aims to cater to the increasing demand for rare earth elements while aligning with the U.S. strategy to reduce reliance on China for these critical materials [2]. Group 2: Market Context - The demand for rare earth elements is rising due to global energy usage increases, driven by electrification and the expansion of data centers for AI [3]. - Over 100 countries have committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, shifting energy reliance from fossil fuels to renewable sources, although U.S. policies under President Trump have diverged from this commitment [3]. Group 3: Industry Dynamics - The launch of ex-China funds has surged in recent years, influenced by geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, although these funds have been slow to attract significant assets [4]. - Existing rare-earth element ETFs, such as the $2 billion VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Sprott's $380 million Critical Materials ETF (SETM), have shown strong returns of 109% and 114% over the past year, respectively [5].

I wrote about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF ( REMX ) last year as a broad, educational tour of the fund, not a buy or sell call. REMX, at its core , is a pretty concentrated vehicle. ItI focus on producing objective, data-driven research, mostly about small- to mid-cap companies, as these tend to be overlooked by many investors. From time to time, though, I also look at large-cap names, just to give a fuller sense of the broader equity markets.Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option ...

Core Insights - The appeal of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) lies in their ability to provide easy diversification, but they must meet two key requirements: compelling performance and attractive costs [1] Group 1: ETF Performance and Costs - Three ETFs are highlighted for their strong performance, each generating at least 67% returns year-to-date (YTD) while maintaining annual fees below 0.60% [2] - The VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has returned 73% YTD in 2025, with an expense ratio of 0.58% [3] - The VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) is positioned to benefit from the nuclear power industry's expected growth to 12% of the global energy mix by 2040, with an expense ratio of 0.56% [5][6] - The Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF (STCE) has returned 76% YTD, with a low annual fee of 0.30%, significantly lower than the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF [10] Group 2: ETF Holdings and Market Focus - REMX tracks an index of companies involved in the production, refining, and recycling of rare earth and strategic metals, essential for various tech products [2][3] - NLR's portfolio includes companies across developed markets, providing exposure to a range of regions and regulatory environments in the nuclear power sector [6] - STCE focuses on companies benefiting from cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, with a portfolio that is predominantly U.S.-based (81%) and includes a balanced mix of market caps [9]