KBUF vs. KARS
KBUF (KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF) and KARS (KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KBUF is a Options Trading fund actively managed by KraneShares, while KARS is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index. KBUF is actively managed, while KARS is passively managed. Over the past year, KBUF returned -8.32% vs 49.48% for KARS. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KBUF charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for KARS.
Performance
KBUF vs. KARS - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, KBUF achieves a -15.02% return, which is significantly lower than KARS's 5.04% return.
KBUF
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -4.18%
- YTD
- -15.02%
- 6M
- -15.46%
- 1Y
- -8.32%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
KARS
- 1D
- -4.28%
- 1M
- -9.61%
- YTD
- 5.04%
- 6M
- 4.08%
- 1Y
- 49.48%
- 3Y*
- 2.98%
- 5Y*
- -4.78%
- 10Y*
- —
KBUF vs. KARS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
KBUF KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF | -15.02% | 18.04% | 15.85% |
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF | 5.04% | 46.04% | -0.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between KBUF and KARS is 0.54, 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 | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2024 | 0.60 |
The correlation between KBUF and KARS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
KBUF vs. KARS — Risk / Return Rank
KBUF
KARS
KBUF vs. KARS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF) and KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS). 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.
| KBUF | KARS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.90 | 1.30 | -0.40 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.42 | 3.17 | -3.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.97 | 10.99 | -11.96 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
KBUF vs. KARS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum KBUF drawdown since its inception was -20.04%, smaller than the maximum KARS drawdown of -64.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KBUF and KARS.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| KBUF | KARS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.04% | -64.85% | +44.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.04% | -15.68% | -4.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -47.79% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -64.85% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -20.04% | -35.97% | +15.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.46% | -28.34% | +23.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.58% | 4.51% | +4.07% |
Volatility
KBUF vs. KARS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF) is 4.13%, while KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS) has a volatility of 11.59%. This indicates that KBUF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KARS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| KBUF | KARS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.13% | 11.59% | -7.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.68% | 21.33% | -10.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.13% | 27.82% | -14.69% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.27% | 30.09% | -15.82% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.27% | 29.41% | -15.14% |
KBUF vs. KARS - Expense Ratio Comparison
KBUF has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than KARS's 0.72% expense ratio.
Dividends
KBUF vs. KARS - Dividend Comparison
KBUF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.84%, more than KARS's 0.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF | 0.17% | 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 | 8.84% | 7.51% | 3.53% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
KBUF and KARS have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
KARS has higher volatility (11.59%) compared to KBUF (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KBUF dropped -20.04% vs KARS's -64.85%.
On 1-year performance, KARS leads with 49.48% vs -8.32% for KBUF. On fees, KARS is cheaper at 0.72% per year. On volatility, KBUF has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, KARS has performed better with a 49.48% return vs -8.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
KARS is cheaper with a 0.72% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for KBUF.
KBUF has the higher dividend yield at 8.84%, compared with 0.17% for KARS.
KBUF is categorized as Options Trading, while KARS is Industrials Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for KBUF and 0.72% for KARS.
KARS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs -0.64), 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.
Find the right allocation for KBUF and KARS
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer