iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) Performance
ISTM total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −0.5% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +17.9% total return
- Since first price
- +45.3% since 2024
ISTM trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | ISTM total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −8.3% | −8.3% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −2.3% | −2.3% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −10.8% | −10.8% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | −0.5% | −0.5% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +17.9% | +1.8% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionJun 12, 2024 | +45.3% | −2.5% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: ISTM vs SPY
From Jun 12, 2024: ISTM grew to $14,528, SPY to $14,453.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
ISTM returns by calendar year
1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+54.1%), worst 2025 (+54.1%). 2026 is year to date.
ISTM annual returns table
| Year | ISTM | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −0.5% | −22.5% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +54.1% | −15.1% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
ISTM largest drawdowns
Now 21.8% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2026 | −22.5% | Jun 24, 2026 | not yet | 5 months | 9 months so far |
| Mar 19, 2025 | −15.1% | Apr 8, 2025 | Jun 26, 2025 | 20 days | 3 months |
| Jul 5, 2024 | −12.4% | Aug 7, 2024 | Sep 26, 2024 | 33 days | 3 months |
| Jul 24, 2025 | −11.0% | Jul 31, 2025 | Sep 29, 2025 | 7 days | 2 months |
| Oct 2, 2024 | −10.0% | Dec 31, 2024 | Mar 6, 2025 | 3 months | 5 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
ISTM risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +21.9% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.88 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.43 |
| Best month | +12.2% |
| Worst month | −11.4% |
| Best 12 months | +66.6% |
| Worst 12 months | +11.3% |
| Positive months | 67% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
ISTM rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 17 | +11.3% | +35.0% | +66.6% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
ISTM performance overview
iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) returned +17.9% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Jun 12, 2024 it has returned +45.3%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −22.5%, from Jan 29, 2026 to Jun 24, 2026; the fund has not yet regained that high. Volatility has been 20.2% a year.
Related: ISTM chart, ISTM dividends. See the ISTM overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
ISTM performance FAQ
What is the ISTM return over the past year?
ISTM returned +17.9% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 1.8%.
How much would $10,000 invested in ISTM be worth?
$10,000 invested in ISTM at its first recorded close on June 12, 2024 would be worth about $14,528 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What is the biggest drawdown of ISTM?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −22.5% between January 29, 2026 and June 24, 2026. It has not yet recovered to that high; it is 21.8% below its peak.
How volatile is ISTM?
Over the past history ISTM had an annualized volatility of 20.2% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.88 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).