KARS vs. KBUF

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

KARS (KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF) and KBUF (KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KARS is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index, while KBUF is a Options Trading fund actively managed by KraneShares. KARS is passively managed, while KBUF is actively managed. Over the past year, KARS returned 30.33% vs -6.32% for KBUF. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KARS charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for KBUF.

Performance

KARS vs. KBUF - 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 KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KARS achieves a -2.50% return, which is significantly higher than KBUF's -12.82% return.

KARS

• 1D: -2.51%
• 1M: -11.89%
• 6M: -8.30%
• YTD: -2.50%
• 1Y: 30.33%
• 3Y*: -2.66%
• 5Y*: -6.82%
• 10Y*: —

KBUF

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -0.32%
• 6M: -16.85%
• YTD: -12.82%
• 1Y: -6.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KARS vs. KBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF	-2.50%	46.04%	-0.78%
KBUF KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF	-12.82%	18.04%	15.85%

Correlation

The correlation between KARS and KBUF is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2024	0.60

The correlation between KARS and KBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KARS vs. KBUF — Risk / Return Rank

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

KARS

KARS Risk / Return Rank: 36
KARS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
KARS Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
KARS Omega Ratio Rank: 35
KARS Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
KARS Martin Ratio Rank: 40

KBUF

KBUF Risk / Return Rank: 6
KBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
KBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
KBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 5
KBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
KBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

KARS vs. KBUF - 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 KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF). 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	KBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	-0.48	+1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	-0.59	+2.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	0.93	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	-0.30	+1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.92	-0.66	+5.57

KARS vs. KBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KARS Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is higher than the KBUF Sharpe Ratio of -0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KARS and KBUF, 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. KBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KARS drawdown since its inception was -64.85%, which is greater than KBUF's maximum drawdown of -21.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KARS and KBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	KARS	KBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.85%	-21.14%	-43.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.66%	-21.14%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-47.79%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-40.57%	-17.97%	-22.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.40%	-4.78%	-23.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.18%	9.63%	-3.45%

Volatility

KARS vs. KBUF - Volatility Comparison

KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS) has a higher volatility of 9.63% compared to KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF) at 3.28%. This indicates that KARS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than KBUF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KARS	KBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.63%	3.28%	+6.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.74%	10.56%	+11.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.17%	13.25%	+14.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.15%	14.22%	+15.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.41%	14.22%	+15.19%

KARS vs. KBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

KARS has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is lower than KBUF's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

KARS vs. KBUF - Dividend Comparison

KARS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, less than KBUF's 8.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
KBUF KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF	8.62%	7.51%	3.53%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KARS and KBUF in my portfolio?

KARS and KBUF have a correlation of 0.55, 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 KBUF?

KARS has higher volatility (9.63%) compared to KBUF (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KARS dropped -64.85% vs KBUF's -21.14%.

Which ETF is better, KARS or KBUF?

On 1-year performance, KARS leads with 30.33% vs -6.32% for KBUF. On fees, KARS is cheaper at 0.72% per year. On volatility, KBUF has been the lower-risk option at 3.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KARS or KBUF?

Over the 1-year period, KARS has performed better with a 30.33% return vs -6.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KARS or KBUF?

KARS is cheaper with a 0.72% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for KBUF.

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

KBUF has the higher dividend yield at 8.62%, compared with 0.19% for KARS.

What is the main difference between KARS and KBUF?

KARS is categorized as Industrials Equities, while KBUF is Options Trading. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for KARS and 0.95% for KBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KARS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs -0.48), 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.