RSX vs SLX
VanEck Russia ETF vs VanEck Steel ETF
Which is better, RSX or SLX?
SLX has been ahead.
SLX has a lower expense ratio. SLX led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | RSX | SLX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.83% | 0.55%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $159M |
| Dividend Yield | 401.36% | 1.28% |
| Holdings | 31 | 80 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.7% | 35.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -85.2% | -82.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 15.7 years | $2,251 | $18,233Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | VanEck |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 24, 2007 | Oct 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1372 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. RSX has data through Jan 12, 2023 and SLX through Oct 15, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 15.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2007 to Jan 12, 2023 (15.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RSX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.7% compared with 35.9% for SLX. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -85.2% for RSX and -82.1% for SLX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RSX charges 0.83% per year while SLX charges 0.55%. On a $10,000 position that is $83 vs $55 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RSX currently yields 401.36% against 1.28% for SLX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RSX and SLX you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RSX or SLX?
RSX has an expense ratio of 0.83% while SLX charges 0.55%. SLX is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, RSX or SLX?
RSX has been the more volatile fund at 37.7% annualized versus 35.9% for SLX. Worst drawdown: RSX -85.2% vs SLX -82.1%.
Should I hold both RSX and SLX?
RSX and SLX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, RSX or SLX?
RSX yields 401.36% while SLX yields 1.28%, so RSX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SLX better than RSX?
SLX has a lower expense ratio. SLX led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.