KF vs. ION

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

KF (The Korea Fund Inc) and ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) are both funds - KF is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by Allianz Global Investors, while ION is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net. Over the past 3 years, KF returned 49.92%/yr vs 13.08%/yr for ION. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KF charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for ION.

Performance

KF vs. ION - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Korea Fund Inc (KF) and Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KF achieves a 107.08% return, which is significantly higher than ION's -1.19% return.

KF

• 1D: 3.30%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 107.08%
• 6M: 104.71%
• 1Y: 182.72%
• 3Y*: 49.92%
• 5Y*: 20.00%
• 10Y*: 16.77%

ION

• 1D: 1.88%
• 1M: -15.33%
• YTD: -1.19%
• 6M: -1.36%
• 1Y: 78.17%
• 3Y*: 13.08%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KF vs. ION - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
KF The Korea Fund Inc	107.08%	99.36%	-19.29%	12.34%	-3.73%
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	-1.19%	108.37%	-20.02%	-14.10%	-8.45%

Correlation

The correlation between KF and ION is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2022	0.44

Return for Risk

KF vs. ION — Risk / Return Rank

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

KF

KF Risk / Return Rank: 95
KF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
KF Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
KF Omega Ratio Rank: 90
KF Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
KF Martin Ratio Rank: 98

ION

ION Risk / Return Rank: 64
ION Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
ION Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
ION Omega Ratio Rank: 58
ION Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
ION Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

KF vs. ION - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Korea Fund Inc (KF) and Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION). 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.

	KF	ION	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.98	1.99	+1.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	2.42	+1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.31	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.23	2.93	+4.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.50	9.15	+16.35

KF vs. ION - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KF Sharpe Ratio is 3.98, which is higher than the ION Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KF and ION, 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

KF vs. ION - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KF drawdown since its inception was -85.25%, which is greater than ION's maximum drawdown of -52.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KF and ION.

Drawdown Indicators

	KF	ION	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.25%	-52.08%	-33.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.42%	-26.85%	+1.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.04%	-46.47%	+18.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.02%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.05%	-25.47%	+19.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.83%	-23.60%	-14.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.20%	8.57%	-1.37%

Volatility

KF vs. ION - Volatility Comparison

The Korea Fund Inc (KF) has a higher volatility of 25.49% compared to Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) at 13.79%. This indicates that KF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ION based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KF	ION	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.49%	13.79%	+11.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.03%	32.01%	+11.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.24%	39.57%	+6.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.37%	31.57%	-2.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.87%	31.57%	-4.70%

KF vs. ION - Expense Ratio Comparison

KF has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than ION's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

KF vs. ION - Dividend Comparison

KF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, less than ION's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	1.50%	1.63%	1.74%	2.23%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
KF The Korea Fund Inc	0.58%	1.20%	2.46%	0.00%	15.93%	26.50%	1.30%	0.24%	18.67%	9.75%	1.03%	13.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KF and ION in my portfolio?

KF and ION have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KF or ION?

KF has higher volatility (25.49%) compared to ION (13.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KF dropped -85.25% vs ION's -52.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.98 vs 1.99), 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.