ICOP vs. NIKL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

ICOP (iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF) and NIKL (Sprott Nickel Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICOP is a Copper fund tracking the STOXX Global Copper and Metals Mining Index, while NIKL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Nickel Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ICOP returned 26.30%/yr vs -8.38%/yr for NIKL. Their 0.65 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ICOP charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for NIKL.

Performance

ICOP vs. NIKL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP) and Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ICOP achieves a 13.30% return, which is significantly higher than NIKL's -18.37% return.

ICOP

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 1.44%
• 6M: -1.66%
• YTD: 13.30%
• 1Y: 75.25%
• 3Y*: 26.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 28.98%

NIKL

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -2.06%
• 6M: -28.75%
• YTD: -18.37%
• 1Y: 12.15%
• 3Y*: -8.38%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -7.15%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ICOP iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF	$3.24M	$3.32M	$5.52M
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	$508.08K	$720.05K	$1.85M

ICOP vs. NIKL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ICOP iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF	13.30%	78.01%	1.10%	8.08%
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	-18.37%	52.05%	-22.48%	-21.00%

Correlation

The correlation between ICOP and NIKL is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2023	0.65

The correlation between ICOP and NIKL shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (3 years) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ICOP vs. NIKL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ICOP	NIKL
Basic Materials	100.0%	96.3%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	3.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ICOP vs. NIKL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ICOP

ICOP Risk / Return Rank: 75
ICOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ICOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
ICOP Omega Ratio Rank: 73
ICOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ICOP Martin Ratio Rank: 69

NIKL

NIKL Risk / Return Rank: 19
NIKL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
NIKL Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
NIKL Omega Ratio Rank: 21
NIKL Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
NIKL Martin Ratio Rank: 16

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ICOP vs. NIKL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP) and Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ICOP	NIKL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	0.34	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	0.77	+1.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.09	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	0.36	+2.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.34	0.77	+7.57

ICOP vs. NIKL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICOP Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is higher than the NIKL Sharpe Ratio of 0.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICOP and NIKL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ICOP vs. NIKL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICOP drawdown since its inception was -38.67%, smaller than the maximum NIKL drawdown of -60.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICOP and NIKL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICOP	NIKL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.67%	-60.23%	+21.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.13%	-40.15%	+14.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-38.67%	-57.61%	+18.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.92%	-37.64%	+23.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.76%	-26.98%	+15.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.99%	18.70%	-9.71%

Volatility

ICOP vs. NIKL - Volatility Comparison

iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP) has a higher volatility of 12.26% compared to Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) at 10.54%. This indicates that ICOP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NIKL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ICOP	NIKL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.26%	10.54%	+1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.69%	34.99%	+0.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.68%	42.92%	-2.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.64%	32.99%	+1.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.64%	32.99%	+1.65%

ICOP vs. NIKL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICOP has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than NIKL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

ICOP vs. NIKL - Dividend Comparison

ICOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, less than NIKL's 3.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
ICOP iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF	1.79%	2.08%	1.87%	2.15%
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	3.10%	2.53%	3.49%	19.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ICOP and NIKL in my portfolio?

ICOP and NIKL have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ICOP or NIKL?

ICOP has higher volatility (12.26%) compared to NIKL (10.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICOP dropped -38.67% vs NIKL's -60.23%.

Which ETF is better, ICOP or NIKL?

On 3-year performance, ICOP leads with 26.30% vs -8.38% for NIKL. On fees, ICOP is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, NIKL has been the lower-risk option at 10.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ICOP or NIKL?

Over the 3-year period, ICOP has performed better with a 26.30% return vs -8.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ICOP or NIKL?

ICOP is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for NIKL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ICOP or NIKL?

NIKL has the higher dividend yield at 3.10%, compared with 1.79% for ICOP.

What is the main difference between ICOP and NIKL?

ICOP is categorized as Copper, while NIKL is Energy Equities. ICOP tracks STOXX Global Copper and Metals Mining Index, while NIKL tracks Nasdaq Sprott Nickel Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ICOP and 0.75% for NIKL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 0.34), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.