ION vs. VDC

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) and VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples 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 VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ION returned 17.31%/yr vs 9.05%/yr for VDC. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ION charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDC.

Performance

ION vs. VDC - 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 Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). 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 VDC's 10.55% return.

ION

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

VDC

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 8.59%
• 1Y: 8.56%
• 3Y*: 9.05%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: 8.03%

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

ION vs. VDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	13.12%	108.37%	-20.02%	-14.10%	-8.45%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	10.55%	2.17%	13.30%	2.38%	-3.31%

Correlation

The correlation between ION and VDC is 0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2022	0.19

The correlation between ION and VDC shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (1 year) to 0.19 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ION vs. VDC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ION	VDC
Basic Materials	13.7%	0.3%
Financial Services	13.0%	-
Energy	2.3%	-
Real Estate	2.3%	-
Healthcare	1.7%	0.0%
Industrials	1.7%	0.3%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	97.5%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ION vs. VDC — 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

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 19
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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. VDC - 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 Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). 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	VDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.81	0.58	+2.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	0.93	+2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.11	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.74	0.79	+3.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.01	1.60	+13.40

ION vs. VDC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ION Sharpe Ratio is 2.81, which is higher than the VDC Sharpe Ratio of 0.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ION and VDC, 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. VDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ION drawdown since its inception was -52.08%, which is greater than VDC's maximum drawdown of -34.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ION and VDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ION	VDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.08%	-34.24%	-17.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.30%	-9.28%	-14.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.47%	-11.78%	-34.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.55%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-25.31%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.68%	-4.37%	-10.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.64%	-3.73%	-19.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.34%	4.57%	+2.77%

Volatility

ION vs. VDC - Volatility Comparison

Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) has a higher volatility of 15.42% compared to Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) at 4.62%. This indicates that ION's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ION	VDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.42%	4.62%	+10.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.74%	10.02%	+21.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.38%	12.57%	+26.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.51%	13.17%	+18.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.51%	14.66%	+16.85%

ION vs. VDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ION has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than VDC's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ION vs. VDC - Dividend Comparison

ION's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, less than VDC's 2.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	1.41%	1.63%	1.74%	2.23%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.08%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ION and VDC in my portfolio?

ION and VDC have a correlation of 0.09, 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 VDC?

ION has higher volatility (15.42%) compared to VDC (4.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ION dropped -52.08% vs VDC's -34.24%.

Which ETF is better, ION or VDC?

On 3-year performance, ION leads with 17.31% vs 9.05% for VDC. On fees, VDC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VDC has been the lower-risk option at 4.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ION or VDC?

Over the 3-year period, ION has performed better with a 17.31% return vs 9.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ION or VDC?

VDC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for ION.

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

VDC has the higher dividend yield at 2.08%, compared with 1.41% for ION.

What is the main difference between ION and VDC?

ION is categorized as Lithium & Battery Metals, while VDC is Consumer Staples Equities. ION tracks S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net, while VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for ION and 0.09% for VDC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ION currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 0.58), 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.