ION vs. METL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) and METL (Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ION is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net, while METL is a Natural Resources fund actively managed by Sprott. ION is passively managed, while METL is actively managed. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ION charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for METL.

Performance

ION vs. METL - 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 Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ION achieves a 13.12% return, which is significantly higher than METL's 11.55% return.

ION

• 1D: 4.15%
• 1M: -8.49%
• YTD: 13.12%
• 6M: 23.38%
• 1Y: 112.30%
• 3Y*: 17.31%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

METL

• 1D: 3.12%
• 1M: -6.52%
• YTD: 11.55%
• 6M: 15.65%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ION vs. METL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	13.12%	44.64%
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	11.55%	28.19%

Correlation

The correlation between ION and METL is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2025	0.72

Return for Risk

ION vs. METL — Risk / Return Rank

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

ION

ION Risk / Return Rank: 84
ION Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
ION Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ION Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ION Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
ION Martin Ratio Rank: 84

METL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. METL - 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 Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). 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	METL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.81	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.74	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.01	—	—

Drawdowns

ION vs. METL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ION drawdown since its inception was -52.08%, which is greater than METL's maximum drawdown of -27.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ION and METL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ION	METL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.08%	-27.39%	-24.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.30%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.68%	-15.42%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.64%	-8.42%	-15.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.34%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ION	METL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.42%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.74%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.38%	45.21%	-5.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.51%	45.21%	-13.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.51%	45.21%	-13.70%

ION vs. METL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ION has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than METL's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

ION vs. METL - Dividend Comparison

ION's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, more than METL's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	1.41%	1.63%	1.74%	2.23%	0.13%
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	0.89%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ION and METL in my portfolio?

ION and METL have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ION or METL?

On fees, ION is cheaper at 0.58% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ION or METL?

ION is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for METL.

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

ION has the higher dividend yield at 1.41%, compared with 0.89% for METL.

What is the main difference between ION and METL?

ION is categorized as Lithium & Battery Metals, while METL is Natural Resources. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for ION and 0.89% for METL.