What is the expense ratio difference between COPJ and ICOP?

COPJ has an expense ratio of 0.75%, whereas ICOP has an expense ratio of 0.47%. The difference is 0.28 percentage points. Expense ratios are fees charged by funds to cover management and operational costs, reducing returns. ICOP offers a lower fee structure, potentially keeping more of your investment working for you over time. This is significant because these costs are incurred regardless of investment performance.

What do these funds track?

The specific indices tracked by COPJ and ICOP are not available. However, COPJ targets junior copper mining companies, suggesting it tracks a portfolio of smaller, growth-oriented miners. ICOP covers copper and metals mining broadly. This means ICOP likely tracks a more diverse index including major mining entities, diluting its focus from pure copper exposure to include other metals.

What is a dividend yield in this context?

A dividend yield represents the annual income paid out by a fund as a percentage of its price. COPJ has a high dividend yield of 10.02%, indicating substantial income return. In contrast, ICOP's dividend yield is 1.63%, a much lower figure. This means for every dollar invested, COPJ generates significantly more income than ICOP, suitable for those prioritising regular payouts.

How do the dividend yields of COPJ and ICOP compare?

COPJ offers a dividend yield of 10.02%, which is substantially higher than ICOP's 1.63%. This significant difference means COPJ provides much greater income generation compared to ICOP. For yield-focused investors, COPJ's distributions appear far more lucrative, though higher yields can sometimes reflect different risk profiles or fund strategies, not just financial strength.

Do these funds share any top holdings?

The provided data states that none of the top 10 holdings are shared between COPJ and ICOP. COPJ lists TGB and IE, while ICOP holds FCX, NEM, and others. This lack of overlap indicates they target different parts of the mining sector, reducing direct correlation in their portfolios despite both being categorised as Natural Resources funds.

What type of investing goal aligns with COPJ?

COPJ's high yield of 10.02% and focus on junior miners suggest it suits investors seeking aggressive growth and income within the copper mining sector. It appeals to those willing to accept significant volatility and sector risk for potentially higher returns, rather than stable capital preservation or broad diversification, as it is a targeted, niche strategy.

How do fund sizes affect the comparison?

COPJ has net assets of $171 million, while ICOP has $480 million. ICOP is significantly larger, potentially offering better liquidity and stability. A larger fund size can indicate more investor confidence and potentially lower bid-ask spreads for traders. However, size alone does not determine performance, but it does affect the ease of buying and selling the fund.

What does a junior copper mining fund mean?

COPJ is designed for targeted exposure to junior copper mining companies. These firms are typically smaller, developing mines with high growth potential but greater risk compared to established miners. Investing in this type of fund means betting on the exploration and development phase of mining projects, making it a high-risk strategy.

Which fund has lower holding costs?

ICOP has an expense ratio of 0.47%, which is lower than COPJ's 0.75%. Lower holding costs mean less of your investment is eaten up by fees annually, potentially boosting long-term net returns. Over time, this 0.28 percentage point difference in fees can compound, making a meaningful impact on the overall profitability of the investment.

Are the inception dates comparable?

COPJ was founded on February 1, 2023, and ICOP on June 21, 2023. Both funds have a very short operating history, established within months of each other in 2023. With limited track records, it is challenging to evaluate their long-term resilience or ability to weather different market cycles based on historical performance data alone.

COPJ vs ICOP

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare Sprott Fds Junior Copper Miners Etf (COPJ) and iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP). This page analyses fees, holdings and dividends, and explains how each fund tracks its market. COPJ has a 0.75% expense ratio, while ICOP has 0.47%. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

COPJ

Metric

ICOP

0.75%

Expense Ratio

0.47%

10.02%

Dividend Yield

1.63%

$170.85M

Net Assets

$480.19M

Holdings

100

Feb 1, 2023

Inception Date

Jun 21, 2023

–

Index Tracked

–

Natural Resources

Fund Category

Natural Resources

ICOP costs about $28.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

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Investment Analysis

COPJ

Pros

The fund provides targeted exposure to junior copper mining companies for investors seeking sector-specific growth opportunities.
With a dividend yield of 10.02%, it offers a substantially higher income return than most standard equity ETFs.
Net assets stand at $171 million, indicating a reasonably sized pool of capital for investors entering this niche strategy.

Considerations

The 0.75% expense ratio is relatively high compared to broader market ETFs and the alternative fund ICOP.
Top holdings data is limited with TGB at 4.67% and IE at 4.20%, making full portfolio concentration assessment difficult.
As a natural resources fund focused on mining, it carries significant volatility and sector risk tied to commodity price fluctuations.

ICOP

Pros

With net assets of $480 million, the fund offers greater liquidity and size stability compared to smaller niche ETFs.
The lower expense ratio of 0.47% reduces ongoing holding costs and potentially enhances long-term net returns.
Diversified top holdings including FCX at 8.22%, NEM at 5.10%, and SCCO at 4.64% spread risk across major miners.

Considerations

The dividend yield of 1.63% is modest, offering limited income generation for yield-focused investors.
The fund tracks a broad copper and metals mining sector rather than pure copper, diluting specific thematic exposure.
Inception date of Jun 21, 2023, indicates the fund has a shorter operating history than some established competitors.

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About COPJ and ICOP

COPJ (COPJ)

COPJ is a ticker symbol for which publicly available issuer details were not provided. It may represent a special share class, depositary receipt, warrant or a regional/over‑the‑counter listing with low visibility. Investors should first verify the issuing company, listing exchange, security type and any specific terms (conversion, expiry or dividend rights) by consulting primary sources such as exchange notices, the issuer’s filings and prospectuses. Check price history, typical trading volumes and bid–ask spreads to assess liquidity and transaction costs. Be mindful of currency, settlement rules and tax treatment if the security trades outside your home market. Smaller or obscure tickers can be volatile and difficult to trade quickly. This content is educational only and not personalised advice. It does not recommend buying or selling. Ensure the investment fits your risk tolerance and objectives, and consult a regulated financial adviser or your broker for tailored guidance.

ICOP (ICOP)

iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP) is an exchange-traded fund that gives investors targeted exposure to companies involved in copper and other metals mining. Managed by iShares (BlackRock), the ETF typically includes producers, developers and related service companies across global mining hubs. Its performance is closely linked to commodity prices — particularly copper — and broader industrial demand, which means returns can be cyclical and volatile. ICOP can offer a convenient way to gain sector-level exposure without selecting individual miners, but be mindful of concentration risks (large miners can dominate holdings), country and regulatory risks, and currency effects. Fees, index methodology and turnover can affect outcomes, so check the current prospectus and factsheet before investing. This summary is educational and not personal advice; values can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a guide to future results.

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COPJ vs ICOP

Fund Snapshot