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MXI vs XME
Which ETF would AI Choose? iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) vs. SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME)
Key Takeaways
- iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) provides broad global exposure to the materials sector, including chemicals and forestry products, while SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) focuses narrowly on U.S. metals and mining companies.
- MXI tracks a market-cap-weighted global index with approximately 90 holdings and an expense ratio of 0.37%, offering diversified international materials exposure.
- XME follows a modified equal-weighted U.S.-only index with around 40 holdings and a lower expense ratio of 0.35%, emphasizing pure-play metals and mining sub-industries.
- Both ETFs are passive vehicles but differ in geographic scope, weighting methodology, and sector concentration, leading to distinct risk profiles and performance drivers tied to commodity cycles.
- MXI suits investors seeking worldwide materials diversification, whereas XME appeals to those targeting U.S.-centric mining and metals volatility.
- Cost efficiency slightly favors XME, while structural diversification leans toward MXI in broader market environments.
Introduction
Investors comparing the iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) and the SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) gain insight into complementary yet distinct approaches to the materials sector. These ETFs do not compete directly for identical exposure; instead, they offer alternative strategies within the broader materials theme. MXI delivers global materials coverage, while XME concentrates on U.S. metals and mining. This comparison highlights structural differences relevant for portfolio construction in varying commodity and economic cycles.
iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) Overview
The iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) is a passively managed fund that tracks the S&P Global 1200 Materials (Sector) Capped Index. It seeks to replicate the performance of global equities in the materials sector, encompassing companies involved in metals, chemicals, and forestry products. The ETF holds approximately 90 securities on a market-capitalization-weighted basis. Top holdings typically include firms such as Linde plc, Newmont Corporation, and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. Sector allocations center on basic materials, with significant weight in non-energy minerals and process industries. The expense ratio stands at 0.37%. As an open-ended equity ETF listed on NYSE Arca, it provides liquid access to international materials exposure with semi-annual distributions.
SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) Overview
The SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) is a passively managed fund designed to track the S&P Metals and Mining Select Industry Index before fees and expenses. It offers exposure to the metals and mining segment of the S&P Total Market Index, covering sub-industries including aluminum, copper, gold, silver, steel, and diversified metals. The ETF maintains roughly 40 holdings using a modified equal-weighted methodology that balances exposure across large-, mid-, and small-cap U.S. companies. Representative holdings often feature Reliance Inc., Materion Corp., and Steel Dynamics Inc. The expense ratio is 0.35%. Structured as an open-ended equity ETF on NYSE Arca, it provides targeted U.S. metals and mining access with quarterly distributions.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
The materials sector encompasses companies engaged in the extraction, processing, and production of raw materials essential for industrial and consumer applications. Both ETFs operate within an environment shaped by commodity price trends, global supply chains, infrastructure spending, and energy transition demands. Macroeconomic drivers include interest rate expectations, industrial production cycles, and geopolitical factors affecting resource availability. Regulatory developments around mining permits and environmental standards, alongside capital flows into critical minerals, influence sector dynamics. Risks involve commodity price volatility, trade policies, and shifts in global manufacturing activity that can affect both global and U.S.-focused strategies.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
In recent market cycles, MXI has reflected broader global materials trends, with performance influenced by international chemical and mining leaders responding to worldwide demand. Its market-cap weighting amplifies the impact of larger multinational firms. XME, through its equal-weighted U.S. focus, has shown sensitivity to domestic mining and metals earnings cycles, often exhibiting higher volatility due to concentrated sub-industry exposure and equal weighting of smaller constituents. Relative positioning highlights MXI's potential for smoother international diversification versus XME's amplified response to U.S. commodity and infrastructure themes. Both benefit from sector rotation during periods of economic expansion but differ in resilience to regional downturns.
AI Screener
Tickeron’s AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Explore the AI Screener to refine your ETF research.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a modest probabilistic preference to the SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME). Its lower expense ratio, modified equal-weighted approach providing balanced sub-industry exposure, and pure-play focus on metals and mining align with potential sector momentum in U.S. resources. The iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) offers strong diversification benefits that could prove advantageous in varied global conditions, yet the cost and thematic concentration edge slightly favors XME in the current framework.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is MXI is a Hold and XME is a Hold.
Momentum Indicator for MXI turns negative, indicating new downward trend
MXI saw its Momentum Indicator move below the 0 level on October 22, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new downward move. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 80 similar instances where the indicator turned negative. In 73 of the 80 cases, the stock moved further down in the following days. The odds of a decline are at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for MXI turned negative on October 23, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 47 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 43 of the 47 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 90%.
MXI moved below its 50-day moving average on September 23, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for MXI crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 23, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 16 of 19 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 84%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where MXI declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 82%.
The Aroon Indicator for MXI entered a downward trend on October 12, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where MXI's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 24 of 27 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 89%.
The Stochastic Oscillator is in the oversold zone. Keep an eye out for a move up in the foreseeable future.
Following a +1.06% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where MXI advanced for three days, in 283 of 333 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 85%.
MXI may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
XME sees MACD Histogram just turned negative
XME saw its Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) turn negative on October 13, 2026. This is a bearish signal that suggests the stock could decline going forward. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 46 instances where the indicator turned negative. In 42 of the 46 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a downward move at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
XME moved below its 50-day moving average on September 23, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for XME crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 23, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 13 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 87%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where XME declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 88%.
The Aroon Indicator for XME entered a downward trend on October 23, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrates that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 1 day, which means it's wise to expect a price bounce in the near future.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 1 day, which means it's wise to expect a price bounce in the near future.
Following a +2.36% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where XME advanced for three days, in 337 of 363 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
XME may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
| MXI | XME | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 89% | 1 day ago 89% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 81% | 1 day ago 90% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | 1 day ago 90% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 82% | 1 day ago 87% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 76% | 1 day ago 85% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 85% | 18 days ago 90% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 82% | 1 day ago 88% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 89% | 1 day ago 83% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 75% | 1 day ago 79% |
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MXI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MXI has been closely correlated with BHP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 85% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if MXI jumps, then BHP could also see price increases.
XME and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, XME has been closely correlated with CDE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 77% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if XME jumps, then CDE could also see price increases.