KARS vs. IAK

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

KARS (KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KARS is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KARS returned -7.36%/yr vs 15.95%/yr for IAK. Their 0.31 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. KARS charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IAK.

Performance

KARS vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KARS achieves a -3.13% return, which is significantly lower than IAK's 10.07% return.

KARS

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: -5.58%
• 6M: -5.36%
• YTD: -3.13%
• 1Y: 25.51%
• 3Y*: -3.57%
• 5Y*: -7.36%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.49%

IAK

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: -0.06%
• 6M: 12.67%
• YTD: 10.07%
• 1Y: 19.63%
• 3Y*: 19.72%
• 5Y*: 15.95%
• 10Y*: 13.45%
• ALL TIME*: 7.39%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	$14.76M	$20.90M	$11.89M
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF	$357.33K	$457.30K	$1.09M

KARS vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF	-3.13%	46.04%	-17.88%	-7.85%	-39.20%	24.11%	71.17%	34.66%	-28.04%
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	10.07%	9.50%	28.25%	11.28%	11.33%	26.84%	-2.86%	25.94%	-13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between KARS and IAK is -0.21, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.21
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.00
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 19, 2018	0.31

The correlation between KARS and IAK shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.31 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

KARS vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KARS	IAK
Consumer Cyclical	35.9%	-
Basic Materials	25.4%	-
Industrials	20.7%	-
Technology	18.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	99.3%
Healthcare	-	0.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

KARS vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

KARS

KARS Risk / Return Rank: 34
KARS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
KARS Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
KARS Omega Ratio Rank: 35
KARS Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
KARS Martin Ratio Rank: 33

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 53
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 45
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

KARS vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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.

	KARS	IAK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	1.17	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.34	1.72	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.21	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	2.45	-1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.12	5.96	-2.84

KARS vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KARS Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is comparable to the IAK Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KARS and IAK, 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

KARS vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KARS drawdown since its inception was -64.85%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KARS and IAK.

Drawdown Indicators

	KARS	IAK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.85%	-77.38%	+12.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.94%	-7.62%	-17.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-45.42%	-11.58%	-33.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.85%	-14.76%	-50.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-40.95%	-3.23%	-37.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.48%	-16.01%	-12.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.11%	3.13%	+4.98%

Volatility

KARS vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS) has a higher volatility of 8.37% compared to iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) at 7.03%. This indicates that KARS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KARS	IAK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.37%	7.03%	+1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.26%	12.43%	+9.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.30%	16.00%	+12.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.00%	18.13%	+11.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.40%	20.92%	+8.48%

KARS vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

KARS has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than IAK's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

KARS vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

KARS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, less than IAK's 2.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.43%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF	0.19%	0.18%	0.78%	0.88%	1.13%	6.73%	0.14%	1.85%	1.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KARS and IAK in my portfolio?

KARS and IAK have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KARS or IAK?

KARS has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to IAK (7.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KARS dropped -64.85% vs IAK's -77.38%.

Which ETF is better, KARS or IAK?

On 5-year performance, IAK leads with 15.95% vs -7.36% for KARS. On fees, IAK is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 7.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KARS or IAK?

Over the 5-year period, IAK has performed better with a 15.95% return vs -7.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KARS or IAK?

IAK is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for KARS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KARS or IAK?

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.43%, compared with 0.19% for KARS.

What is the main difference between KARS and IAK?

KARS is categorized as Industrials Equities, while IAK is Financials Equities. KARS tracks Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. They also come from different issuers: KraneShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for KARS and 0.38% for IAK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 0.90), 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.