Average Daily Volume
9683
Fund Overview
The VanEck Vectors Oil Refiners ETF (CRAK) provides targeted exposure to companies involved in the oil refining industry. This ETF tracks the MVIS Global Oil Refiners Index, which includes companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from oil refining. These firms are primarily engaged in converting crude oil into refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. CRAK offers investors a way to gain exposure to a niche segment of the energy sector that can benefit from refining margins, also known as 'crack spreads.' The fund is designed for investors seeking to capitalize on the dynamics between crude oil prices and refined product prices, which can vary based on supply-demand imbalances, regulatory changes, and seasonal factors.
- Asset Class
-
Equity
- Industry
-
Oil Equipment & Services
- Annual Dividend Rate
-
- Smart Beta
-
No
- Leveraged / Inverse
-
N/A / No
- Dividend Quality - Yield
-
- 3.53 %
- Currency Hedged
-
No
- Portfolio Turnover
-
23 %
- Dividend Date
-
Why Invest in the CRAK ETF?
Potential Benefits
- Provides focused exposure to the oil refining sector, which can benefit from widening crack spreads.
- Offers diversification within the energy sector beyond exploration and production companies.
- Historically, refiners can perform well when crude oil prices are low relative to refined product prices.
- May serve as a hedge against energy price volatility for certain portfolios.
- Liquidity is typically strong due to the ETF structure and underlying holdings.
Potential Risks
- Highly sensitive to fluctuations in crude oil and refined product prices.
- Refining margins can be volatile and are influenced by geopolitical events and regulatory changes.
- Sector concentration risk, as the fund is heavily weighted toward energy companies.
- Environmental regulations and shifts toward renewable energy could negatively impact refiners.
- Performance may lag during periods of narrowing crack spreads or oversupply in refined products.
RSI data unavailable or insufficient history.
Monthly Returns (%)
| Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 2026 |
+11.8%
|
+7.0%
|
+10.1%
|
+2.9%
|
-5.2%
|
-4.4%
|
+19.9%
|
+11.2%
|
+3.1%
|
+3.1%
|
-
|
-
|
| 2025 |
+3.7%
|
-1.0%
|
+1.7%
|
-3.5%
|
+8.0%
|
+9.5%
|
+2.4%
|
+5.2%
|
+3.8%
|
+6.6%
|
+1.4%
|
-3.5%
|
| 2024 |
+2.2%
|
+1.4%
|
+8.1%
|
-4.2%
|
-1.5%
|
-1.2%
|
+0.6%
|
-0.9%
|
-4.0%
|
-8.7%
|
+0.9%
|
-7.9%
|
| 2023 |
+5.2%
|
-4.0%
|
+0.9%
|
-3.2%
|
-5.7%
|
+4.3%
|
+10.2%
|
+0.8%
|
+2.9%
|
-3.8%
|
+4.8%
|
+1.7%
|
| 2022 |
+5.3%
|
-2.7%
|
+8.6%
|
0.0%
|
+9.5%
|
-9.9%
|
+2.5%
|
+1.0%
|
-11.8%
|
+11.8%
|
+10.5%
|
-3.7%
|
| 2021 |
+1.1%
|
+11.7%
|
-3.4%
|
+3.2%
|
+6.4%
|
-1.5%
|
-7.2%
|
+2.8%
|
+4.0%
|
+2.4%
|
-11.4%
|
+4.5%
|
| 2020 |
-10.9%
|
-11.6%
|
-23.4%
|
+19.6%
|
+5.9%
|
-1.5%
|
-2.2%
|
+1.9%
|
-8.4%
|
-5.8%
|
+27.2%
|
+8.0%
|
| 2019 |
+9.5%
|
-1.7%
|
-0.5%
|
+0.2%
|
-9.7%
|
+6.1%
|
+0.7%
|
-6.5%
|
+8.5%
|
+6.1%
|
-2.1%
|
-0.3%
|
| 2018 |
+2.1%
|
-6.1%
|
+1.5%
|
+8.0%
|
+1.6%
|
-3.5%
|
+8.9%
|
+0.8%
|
+2.3%
|
-10.9%
|
-5.2%
|
-8.5%
|
| 2017 |
+0.4%
|
+4.3%
|
+3.9%
|
+1.2%
|
-2.6%
|
+4.7%
|
+6.2%
|
+3.1%
|
+4.8%
|
+4.8%
|
+4.3%
|
+6.2%
|
< -5%
-5% to -2%
-2% to 0%
0%
0% to +2%
+2% to +5%
> +5%
Top Holdings (by weight)
| Symbol |
Company Name |
Weight |
|
RLNIY
|
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD GDR 144A |
9.0 % |
|
MPC
|
MARATHON PETROLEUM CORP |
7.1 % |
|
PSX
|
PHILLIPS 66 |
7.0 % |
|
VLO
|
VALERO ENERGY CORP |
6.4 % |
|
DINO
|
HF SINCLAIR CORP |
4.4 % |
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 26 total holdings.
Related ETFs: CRAK vs Peers
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.
Investment Strategy
CRAK tracks the MVIS Global Oil Refiners Index, a market-cap-weighted index of companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from oil refining. The fund primarily holds common stocks of global refiners, with a focus on firms engaged in processing crude oil into refined products. The index is rebalanced quarterly to ensure it reflects the current market landscape. Unlike some energy ETFs that focus on exploration and production, CRAK provides targeted exposure to refining margins, making it a unique tool for investors looking to capitalize on this specific aspect of the energy sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of companies does CRAK invest in?
CRAK invests in companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from oil refining, including firms engaged in converting crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and other refined products.
How does CRAK differ from other energy ETFs?
Unlike broad energy ETFs that include exploration and production companies, CRAK focuses specifically on refiners, whose profitability is tied to refining margins rather than direct crude oil prices.
What factors influence CRAK's performance?
CRAK's performance is primarily driven by refining margins (crack spreads), which are affected by crude oil prices, demand for refined products, regulatory policies, and seasonal demand patterns.
Is CRAK a good hedge against oil price volatility?
While CRAK can benefit from certain oil price environments, it is not a pure hedge. Refiners may perform well when crude prices are low relative to refined product prices, but they can also suffer from narrowing margins.
Industry Overview
The VanEck Vectors Oil Refiners ETF (CRAK) focuses on the oil refining industry, a critical segment of the global energy market. Refiners play a key role in processing crude oil into usable products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The industry's profitability is closely tied to 'crack spreads,' the difference between crude oil costs and refined product prices. Investing in CRAK provides exposure to companies that may benefit from supply-demand imbalances, regulatory changes, and seasonal demand fluctuations. However, the sector faces challenges from environmental regulations and the global transition toward renewable energy sources.
Alternative Comparison
Compared to broader energy ETFs like XOP (SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) or VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF), CRAK offers more focused exposure to refining companies rather than upstream oil producers. While XOP and VDE include a mix of exploration, production, and integrated oil companies, CRAK zeroes in on refiners, which can behave differently in response to energy price movements. Another peer, IEO (iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF), also differs by excluding refiners, making CRAK a complementary holding for investors seeking refining-specific exposure.
Issuer Overview
VanEck is a well-established asset manager known for its specialized ETFs, particularly in niche sectors like energy, commodities, and emerging markets. The firm has a strong track record of creating targeted investment products, including CRAK, which offers exposure to the oil refining industry. VanEck's ETFs are designed to provide precise, cost-efficient access to specific market segments.
Conclusion
The VanEck Vectors Oil Refiners ETF (CRAK) is a specialized tool for investors looking to gain exposure to the oil refining sector. Its performance is closely tied to refining margins, offering a unique angle on energy market dynamics. While the fund carries sector-specific risks, it can serve as a strategic holding for those with a bullish outlook on refining profitability or seeking diversification within the energy sector.
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