How to invest in industrial metals using ETFs/ETCs

How can I invest in industrial metals?

With ETFs you not only have the opportunity to invest in equity or bonds. You can also participate in the price development of commodities like industrial metals. However, there are a few things you should know: commodity ETFs always track a whole basket of different commodities, covering at least some of the following segments:
 

• Energy: oil and gas
• Precious metals: gold, silver and platinum
• Industrial metals: e.g. zinc and copper
• Agriculture: including wheat and coffee
• Livestock: live cattle and lean hogs

Why there are no industrial metals ETFs in most European countries

There are no industrial metals ETFs that are domiciled within the European Union. This is due to the regulatory framework which is defined by the UCITS directive. According to these guidelines, an index (and thus also corresponding ETFs) must always provide a minimum degree of diversification and may not consist of only a few components. Consequently, regulations in the EU do not allow the launch of an industrial metals ETF.

If you want to invest particularly in industrial metals, you can do so via Exchange Traded Commodities (ETC). Please have a look at our article "What is an ETC?" for a detailed explanation of the similarities and differences between ETFs and ETCs.
 

Swap-based industrial metals ETCs

ETCs track the value of industrial metals based on futures contracts. Industrial metals ETCs are backed with collateral, which is usually checked on a daily basis. The collateral is in the form of cash investments or securities with top credit standing.

Industrial metals ETCs are a suitable instrument for participating in the price development of industrial metals. Keep in mind, however, that you are investing in futures contracts and not directly in industrial metals. In this investment guide you will find all ETCs that allow you to invest in industrial metals.
 

Pour la sélection d’un industrial metals ETFs/ETCs, outre la méthodologie de l’indice et les performances, d’autres facteurs jouent un rôle important lors de la décision. Pour faciliter la comparaison, vous trouverez une liste des industrial metals avec les indications relatives à la taille, aux frais, à l’utilisation des revenus, au domicile du fonds et à la méthode de réplication classée en fonction de la taille des fonds.

Comparaison détaillée de tous les Industrial metals ETFs/ETCs
Comparaison graphique de tous les Industrial metals ETFs/ETCs

Source : justETF.com ; situation au : 25/03/2025

Comparaison des performances des industrial metals ETFs/ETCs

Le tableau suivant compare les performances de tous les industrial metals ETFs/ETCs. Toutes les indications relatives aux performances sont données à la fin du mois et comprennent les distributions. Outre les performances à une date de référence, l’évolution dans le temps est décisive pour la comparaison des ETFs. Pour cela, servez-vous aussi de nos comparaisons graphiques.

• Par périodes
• Par années

Source : justETF.com ; situation au : 28/02/2025 ; indications en EUR, distributions comprises