KBUF vs. KARS

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

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 -5.80% vs 28.24% for KARS. A 0.59 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

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF) and KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KBUF achieves a -11.11% return, which is significantly lower than KARS's -3.18% return.

KBUF

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 2.70%
• 6M: -13.82%
• YTD: -11.11%
• 1Y: -5.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

KARS

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -13.36%
• 6M: -8.53%
• YTD: -3.18%
• 1Y: 28.24%
• 3Y*: -2.81%
• 5Y*: -6.50%
• 10Y*: —

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

KBUF vs. KARS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KBUF KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF	-11.11%	18.04%	15.85%
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF	-3.18%	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	0.59

The correlation between KBUF and KARS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KBUF vs. KARS — Risk / Return Rank

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

KBUF

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

KARS

KARS Risk / Return Rank: 33
KARS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
KARS Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
KARS Omega Ratio Rank: 33
KARS Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
KARS Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

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 ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.44	1.00	-1.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.54	1.45	-1.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.18	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.28	1.28	-1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.59	4.29	-4.88

KBUF vs. KARS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KBUF Sharpe Ratio is -0.44, which is lower than the KARS Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KBUF and KARS, 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

KBUF vs. KARS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KBUF drawdown since its inception was -21.14%, 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.

Drawdown Indicators

	KBUF	KARS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.14%	-64.85%	+43.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.14%	-22.20%	+1.06%
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	-16.36%	-40.98%	+24.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.84%	-28.41%	+23.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.81%	6.60%	+3.21%

Volatility

KBUF vs. KARS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF) is 3.58%, while KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS) has a volatility of 8.21%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	KBUF	KARS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.58%	8.21%	-4.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.37%	21.84%	-11.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.23%	28.24%	-15.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.21%	30.13%	-15.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.21%	29.40%	-15.19%

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 8.45%, more than KARS's 0.19% 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	8.45%	7.51%	3.53%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KBUF and KARS in my portfolio?

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.

Which is riskier, KBUF or KARS?

KARS has higher volatility (8.21%) compared to KBUF (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KBUF dropped -21.14% vs KARS's -64.85%.

Which ETF is better, KBUF or KARS?

On 1-year performance, KARS leads with 28.24% vs -5.80% for KBUF. On fees, KARS is cheaper at 0.72% per year. On volatility, KBUF has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KBUF or KARS?

Over the 1-year period, KARS has performed better with a 28.24% return vs -5.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KBUF or KARS?

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

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

KBUF has the higher dividend yield at 8.45%, compared with 0.19% for KARS.

What is the main difference between KBUF and 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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KARS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs -0.44), 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.