METL ETF: What Is It? Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs Explained
The Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL) actively selects metals and mining companies. Investors seeking exposure to the energy transition critical minerals theme and commodity-related stocks often review it alongside its dividend, outlook, and strategy.
What Is the Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF?
This is an actively managed ETF that invests in metals and mining companies. A professional management team selects and holds companies that mine and process the key raw materials behind the shift to electric vehicles and renewable energy.
It suits investors who want exposure to rising commodity prices and the energy transition theme and who can tolerate sector volatility.
It is an ETF run with an active management approach by Sprott.
How Does the Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracking Index | Actively managed (does not track an index) |
| Management Style | Active (selected by a professional management team) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | At the discretion of the management team |
| Distribution Frequency | Annual distribution |
| Issuer | Sprott |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.99% |
The fund does not simply track a specific index. Instead, the management team selects holdings within the metals and mining industry by weighing factors such as valuation and resource reserves. The strategy spreads investments across companies throughout the critical minerals supply chain to gain exposure to the commodity cycle.
- Stock selection based on the expertise of a manager specializing in metals and mining
- Flexible holdings through an active approach that does not track an index
Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $60.9M, and the total expense ratio is 0.99% per year.
Because managers have more discretion than in passive commodity ETFs, it is wise to check both the fees and the portfolio composition.
Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF Performance and Trends
The metals and mining sector reacts sensitively to commodity price cycles and the outlook for mineral demand, and it tends to be relatively strong when expectations around the energy transition rise. Volatility is generally high.
Fund flows vary with critical mineral supply issues and the outlook for commodity demand. When inflation and a preference for real assets come to the fore, interest sometimes shifts toward related sectors.
Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF Pros and Cons
Its strength is active exposure to the energy transition critical minerals theme, while its weaknesses are sector concentration and commodity volatility.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
REMX, SETM, EART, and FMTL, shown in the table, are ETFs in a similar category covering rare earths and critical materials themes. Among them, SETM is a critical materials ETF run by the same issuer, Sprott, making it a direct comparison. For exposure to specific metals, you can also consider GDX, which focuses on gold miners, SIL for silver miners, COPX for copper miners, and XME for US metals and mining overall.
| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF | $50.02 | -1.7% | $1.4B | 0.53% | 2.6% | -28.0% | |
| Sprott Critical Materials ETF | $23.70 | -1.8% | $414.3M | 0.65% | 1.91% | -9.5% | |
| Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF | $23.78 | -2.0% | $41.4M | 0.59% | 0.79% | -3.4% | |
| First Trust Indxx Critical Metals ETF | $31.19 | -1.7% | $31.6M | 0.65% | 1.71% | +20.9% |
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPMorgan U.S. Momentum Factor ETF | 0.38% | $78.52 | -1.1% | $0.0M | - | 0.79% |
Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in METL. With an active commodity ETF, you should check the fees, sector concentration, and volatility tied to commodity prices in advance, and it is important to set an appropriate weighting within your portfolio.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the level of active management fees | Somewhat high |
| 📊 Sector Concentration | Exposure to the single sector of metals and mining | Highly concentrated |
| 📈 Volatility | Volatility tied to commodity prices | High |
| 💱 Exchange Rate | Impact on returns converted to Korean won | No currency hedge |
Concentration in the single sector of metals and mining and swings in commodity prices are the main risk factors. Short-term losses can be large during downturns in the commodity cycle, so adjusting the weighting within your portfolio is necessary.
It is a product worth considering for investors who want active exposure to the energy transition critical minerals theme. Given the sector concentration and volatility, it is best approached as one part of a diversified portfolio.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of July 2, 2026.