ION vs. SBIO

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) and SBIO (ALPS Medical Breakthroughs 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 SBIO is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ION returned 7.83%/yr vs 27.21%/yr for SBIO. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ION charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SBIO.

Performance

ION vs. SBIO - 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 ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO). 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 SBIO's 24.17% 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%

SBIO

• 1D: -2.45%
• 1M: 15.41%
• 6M: 24.53%
• YTD: 24.17%
• 1Y: 93.61%
• 3Y*: 27.21%
• 5Y*: 6.86%
• 10Y*: 10.96%
• ALL TIME*: 9.19%

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

ION vs. SBIO - 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%
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	24.17%	55.07%	3.81%	8.68%	-2.78%

Correlation

The correlation between ION and SBIO is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2022	0.31

ION vs. SBIO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ION	SBIO
Financial Services	14.4%	-0.0%
Basic Materials	14.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	-
Energy	2.7%	-
Real Estate	2.4%	-
Healthcare	2.2%	100.0%
Industrials	1.8%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ION vs. SBIO — 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

SBIO

SBIO Risk / Return Rank: 95
SBIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SBIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SBIO Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SBIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SBIO Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. SBIO - 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 ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO). 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	SBIO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	3.07	-1.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	3.87	-2.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.46	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	7.44	-6.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.26	20.36	-16.10

ION vs. SBIO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ION Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is lower than the SBIO Sharpe Ratio of 3.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ION and SBIO, 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. SBIO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ION drawdown since its inception was -52.08%, smaller than the maximum SBIO drawdown of -63.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ION and SBIO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ION	SBIO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.08%	-63.06%	+10.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.66%	-12.66%	-21.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-45.11%	-42.44%	-2.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-52.49%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-63.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.66%	-7.75%	-25.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.68%	-28.20%	+4.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.81%	4.61%	+6.20%

Volatility

ION vs. SBIO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) is 9.58%, while ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) has a volatility of 11.36%. This indicates that ION experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SBIO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ION	SBIO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.58%	11.36%	-1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.29%	24.09%	+7.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.13%	30.73%	+9.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.64%	33.90%	-2.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.64%	33.16%	-1.52%

ION vs. SBIO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ION has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SBIO's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ION vs. SBIO - Dividend Comparison

ION's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, while SBIO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	0.00%	0.00%	3.55%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	2.79%	1.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ION and SBIO in my portfolio?

ION and SBIO have a correlation of 0.23, 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 SBIO?

SBIO has higher volatility (11.36%) compared to ION (9.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ION dropped -52.08% vs SBIO's -63.06%.

Which ETF is better, ION or SBIO?

On 3-year performance, SBIO leads with 27.21% vs 7.83% for ION. On fees, SBIO is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, ION has been the lower-risk option at 9.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ION or SBIO?

Over the 3-year period, SBIO has performed better with a 27.21% return vs 7.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ION or SBIO?

SBIO is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for ION.

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

ION has the higher dividend yield at 1.69%, compared with 0.00% for SBIO.

What is the main difference between ION and SBIO?

ION is categorized as Lithium & Battery Metals, while SBIO is Health & Biotech Equities. ION tracks S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SBIO tracks S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for ION and 0.50% for SBIO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SBIO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 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.