KARS vs. XLI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KARS (KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF) and XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both Industrials Equities funds - KARS tracks the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index while XLI tracks the Industrial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KARS returned -2.35%/yr vs 12.26%/yr for XLI. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KARS charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLI.

Performance

KARS vs. XLI - 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 Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). 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 XLI's 12.52% return.

KARS

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

XLI

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 12.52%
• 6M: 13.57%
• 1Y: 22.72%
• 3Y*: 21.72%
• 5Y*: 12.26%
• 10Y*: 13.99%

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

KARS vs. XLI - 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%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	12.52%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-17.62%

Correlation

The correlation between KARS and XLI is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2018	0.55

The correlation between KARS and XLI shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (1 year) to 0.55 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

KARS vs. XLI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KARS	XLI
Consumer Cyclical	34.3%	0.5%
Basic Materials	26.6%	-
Industrials	21.9%	90.3%
Technology	17.2%	3.8%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	5.2%

Return for Risk

KARS vs. XLI — 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

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 41
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. XLI - 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 Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). 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	XLI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	1.49	+1.22
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	2.18	+1.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.26	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.97	1.87	+5.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	19.68	7.41	+12.27
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. XLI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KARS Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is higher than the XLI Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KARS and XLI, 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	XLI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.71	1.49	+1.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.08	0.71	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.45	-0.25

Drawdowns

KARS vs. XLI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KARS drawdown since its inception was -64.85%, roughly equal to the maximum XLI drawdown of -62.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KARS and XLI.

Drawdown Indicators

	KARS	XLI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.85%	-62.26%	-2.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.08%	-12.21%	+2.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-47.79%	-18.49%	-29.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.85%	-21.64%	-43.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.33%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.15%	-2.44%	-26.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.32%	-9.21%	-19.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	3.07%	+0.49%

Volatility

KARS vs. XLI - Volatility Comparison

KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS) has a higher volatility of 9.00% compared to Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) at 4.80%. This indicates that KARS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KARS	XLI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.00%	4.80%	+4.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.66%	12.79%	+5.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.97%	15.38%	+10.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.78%	17.42%	+12.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.29%	19.98%	+9.31%

KARS vs. XLI - Expense Ratio Comparison

KARS has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than XLI's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

KARS vs. XLI - Dividend Comparison

KARS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than XLI's 1.18% 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%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.18%	1.29%	1.44%	1.63%	1.63%	1.25%	1.55%	1.94%	2.15%	1.77%	2.07%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KARS and XLI in my portfolio?

KARS and XLI have a correlation of 0.36, 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 XLI?

KARS has higher volatility (9.00%) compared to XLI (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KARS dropped -64.85% vs XLI's -62.26%.

Which ETF is better, KARS or XLI?

On 5-year performance, XLI leads with 12.26% vs -2.35% for KARS. On fees, XLI is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLI has been the lower-risk option at 4.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KARS or XLI?

Over the 5-year period, XLI has performed better with a 12.26% 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 XLI?

XLI is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for KARS.

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

XLI has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 0.16% for KARS.

What is the main difference between KARS and XLI?

KARS tracks Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index, while XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: KraneShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for KARS and 0.13% for XLI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KARS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 1.49), 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.