KARS vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KARS (KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF) and XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KARS is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index, while XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KARS returned -2.35%/yr vs 16.26%/yr for XAR. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KARS charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XAR.

Performance

KARS vs. XAR - 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 SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KARS achieves a 16.24% return, which is significantly higher than XAR's 13.40% return.

KARS

• 1D: -3.32%
• 1M: -3.27%
• YTD: 16.24%
• 6M: 17.45%
• 1Y: 69.84%
• 3Y*: 6.58%
• 5Y*: -2.35%
• 10Y*: —

XAR

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 7.34%
• YTD: 13.40%
• 6M: 20.10%
• 1Y: 41.33%
• 3Y*: 34.11%
• 5Y*: 16.26%
• 10Y*: 18.01%

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

KARS vs. XAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF	16.24%	46.04%	-17.88%	-7.85%	-39.20%	24.11%	71.17%	34.66%	-28.33%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	13.40%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-9.08%

Correlation

The correlation between KARS and XAR is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2018	0.51

The correlation between KARS and XAR shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (3 years) to 0.51 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

KARS vs. XAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KARS	XAR
Consumer Cyclical	34.3%	-
Basic Materials	26.6%	-
Industrials	21.9%	99.4%
Technology	17.2%	0.5%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

KARS vs. XAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

KARS

KARS Risk / Return Rank: 82
KARS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
KARS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
KARS Omega Ratio Rank: 72
KARS Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
KARS Martin Ratio Rank: 88

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 43
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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. XAR - 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 SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). 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.

	KARS	XAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	1.55	+1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	2.21	+1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.26	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.97	2.41	+4.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.68	6.85	+12.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KARS vs. XAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KARS Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is higher than the XAR Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KARS and XAR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KARS	XAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.71	1.55	+1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.08	0.70	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.85	-0.65

Drawdowns

KARS vs. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KARS drawdown since its inception was -64.85%, which is greater than XAR's maximum drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KARS and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	KARS	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.85%	-46.37%	-18.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.08%	-17.22%	+7.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-47.79%	-19.73%	-28.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.85%	-32.40%	-32.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.15%	-6.55%	-22.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.32%	-6.79%	-21.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	6.05%	-2.49%

Volatility

KARS vs. XAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS) is 9.00%, while SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a volatility of 9.52%. This indicates that KARS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KARS	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.00%	9.52%	-0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.66%	22.39%	-3.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.97%	26.81%	-0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.78%	23.41%	+6.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.29%	24.62%	+4.67%

KARS vs. XAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

KARS has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than XAR's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

KARS vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

KARS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than XAR's 0.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF	0.16%	0.18%	0.78%	0.88%	1.13%	6.73%	0.14%	1.85%	1.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.32%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KARS and XAR in my portfolio?

KARS and XAR have a correlation of 0.39, 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 XAR?

XAR has higher volatility (9.52%) compared to KARS (9.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KARS dropped -64.85% vs XAR's -46.37%.

Which ETF is better, KARS or XAR?

On 5-year performance, XAR leads with 16.26% vs -2.35% for KARS. On fees, XAR is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, KARS has been the lower-risk option at 9.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KARS or XAR?

Over the 5-year period, XAR has performed better with a 16.26% return vs -2.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KARS or XAR?

XAR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for KARS.

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

XAR has the higher dividend yield at 0.32%, compared with 0.16% for KARS.

What is the main difference between KARS and XAR?

KARS is categorized as Industrials Equities, while XAR is Aerospace & Defense. KARS tracks Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index, while XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: KraneShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for KARS and 0.35% for XAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KARS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 1.55), 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.