ION vs. KF

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) and KF (The Korea Fund Inc) are both funds - ION is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net, while KF is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by Allianz Global Investors. Over the past 3 years, ION returned 7.83%/yr vs 39.52%/yr for KF. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ION charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for KF.

Performance

ION vs. KF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) and The Korea Fund Inc (KF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ION achieves a -12.05% return, which is significantly lower than KF's 67.98% return.

ION

• 1D: -2.66%
• 1M: -19.28%
• 6M: -23.00%
• YTD: -12.05%
• 1Y: 45.93%
• 3Y*: 7.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.98%

KF

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: -23.79%
• 6M: 46.80%
• YTD: 67.98%
• 1Y: 126.73%
• 3Y*: 39.52%
• 5Y*: 15.72%
• 10Y*: 14.10%
• ALL TIME*: 7.29%

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

ION vs. KF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	-12.05%	108.37%	-20.02%	-14.10%	-8.45%
KF The Korea Fund Inc	67.98%	99.36%	-19.29%	12.34%	-3.73%

Correlation

The correlation between ION and KF is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2022	0.44

Return for Risk

ION vs. KF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ION

ION Risk / Return Rank: 39
ION Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
ION Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
ION Omega Ratio Rank: 40
ION Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ION Martin Ratio Rank: 37

KF

KF Risk / Return Rank: 88
KF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
KF Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
KF Omega Ratio Rank: 81
KF Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
KF Martin Ratio Rank: 94

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ION vs. KF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) and The Korea Fund Inc (KF). 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.

	ION	KF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	2.64	-1.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	2.89	-1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.42	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	5.01	-3.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.26	15.30	-11.04

ION vs. KF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ION Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is lower than the KF Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ION and KF, 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

ION vs. KF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ION drawdown since its inception was -52.08%, smaller than the maximum KF drawdown of -85.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ION and KF.

Drawdown Indicators

	ION	KF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.08%	-85.25%	+33.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.66%	-25.42%	-8.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-45.11%	-28.04%	-17.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-46.83%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-52.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.66%	-23.79%	-9.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.68%	-37.81%	+14.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.81%	8.31%	+2.50%

Volatility

ION vs. KF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) is 9.58%, while The Korea Fund Inc (KF) has a volatility of 20.94%. This indicates that ION experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ION	KF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.58%	20.94%	-11.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.29%	45.16%	-13.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.13%	48.31%	-8.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.64%	29.99%	+1.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.64%	27.21%	+4.43%

ION vs. KF - Expense Ratio Comparison

ION has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than KF's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

ION vs. KF - Dividend Comparison

ION's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, more than KF's 0.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	1.69%	1.63%	1.74%	2.23%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
KF The Korea Fund Inc	0.72%	1.20%	2.46%	0.00%	15.93%	26.50%	1.30%	0.24%	18.67%	9.75%	1.03%	13.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ION and KF in my portfolio?

ION and KF have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ION or KF?

KF has higher volatility (20.94%) compared to ION (9.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ION dropped -52.08% vs KF's -85.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.15), 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.