ION vs. LIMI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) and LIMI (Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF) are both Lithium & Battery Metals funds - ION tracks the S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net while LIMI tracks the BITA Global Lithium and Battery Metals Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ION returned 96.49% vs 127.73% for LIMI. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ION charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for LIMI.

Performance

ION vs. LIMI - 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 Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF (LIMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ION achieves a 3.17% return, which is significantly lower than LIMI's 8.76% return.

ION

• 1D: -4.93%
• 1M: -11.41%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 6M: 1.52%
• 1Y: 96.49%
• 3Y*: 15.06%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

LIMI

• 1D: -4.97%
• 1M: -10.59%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 10.01%
• 1Y: 127.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ION vs. LIMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	3.17%	108.37%	-1.29%
LIMI Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF	8.76%	91.22%	-0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between ION and LIMI is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2024	0.87

The correlation between ION and LIMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ION vs. LIMI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ION

ION Risk / Return Rank: 73
ION Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
ION Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
ION Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ION Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
ION Martin Ratio Rank: 71

LIMI

LIMI Risk / Return Rank: 84
LIMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
LIMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
LIMI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
LIMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
LIMI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. LIMI - 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 Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF (LIMI). 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	LIMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.86	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	3.19	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.40	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.16	5.59	-1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	15.30	-2.88

ION vs. LIMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ION Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the LIMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ION and LIMI, 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. LIMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ION drawdown since its inception was -52.08%, which is greater than LIMI's maximum drawdown of -43.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ION and LIMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ION	LIMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.08%	-43.77%	-8.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.30%	-23.00%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.18%	-19.44%	-2.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.59%	-13.10%	-10.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.79%	8.38%	-0.59%

Volatility

ION vs. LIMI - Volatility Comparison

Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) has a higher volatility of 13.98% compared to Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF (LIMI) at 12.75%. This indicates that ION's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LIMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ION	LIMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.98%	12.75%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.19%	30.77%	+1.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.68%	44.90%	-5.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.59%	41.77%	-10.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.59%	41.77%	-10.18%

ION vs. LIMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ION has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than LIMI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ION vs. LIMI - Dividend Comparison

ION's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, more than LIMI's 0.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	1.55%	1.63%	1.74%	2.23%	0.13%
LIMI Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF	0.50%	0.54%	8.14%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ION and LIMI in my portfolio?

ION and LIMI have a correlation of 0.87, 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 LIMI?

ION has higher volatility (13.98%) compared to LIMI (12.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ION dropped -52.08% vs LIMI's -43.77%.

Which ETF is better, ION or LIMI?

On 1-year performance, LIMI leads with 127.73% vs 96.49% for ION. On fees, LIMI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, LIMI has been the lower-risk option at 12.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ION or LIMI?

Over the 1-year period, LIMI has performed better with a 127.73% return vs 96.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ION or LIMI?

LIMI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for ION.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ION or LIMI?

ION has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 0.50% for LIMI.

What is the main difference between ION and LIMI?

ION tracks S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net, while LIMI tracks BITA Global Lithium and Battery Metals Select Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Themes. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for ION and 0.35% for LIMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.45), 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.