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.
 

When choosing an industrial metals ETF or ETC one should consider several other factors in addition to the methodology of the underlying index and performance of an ETF. For better comparison, you will find a list of all industrial metals ETFs/ETCs with details on size, cost, age, income, domicile and replication method ranked by fund size.

Compare all industrial metals ETFs/ETCs in detail
Compare all industrial metals ETFs/ETCs in a chart

Source: justETF.com; As of 26.04.24

Return comparison of all industrial metals ETFs/ETCs

The table shows the returns of all industrial metals ETFs/ETCs in comparison. All return figures are including dividends as of month end. Besides the return the reference date on which you conduct the comparison is important. In order to find the best ETFs, you can also perform a chart comparison.

• Cumulative
• Calendar year

Source: justETF.com; As of 31.03.24; Calculations in EUR including dividends