LIT vs. MOTO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LIT (Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF) and MOTO (SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LIT is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Lithium Index, while MOTO is a Transportation Equities fund actively managed by Guinness Atkinson Asset Management. LIT is passively managed, while MOTO is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, LIT returned 4.98%/yr vs 10.48%/yr for MOTO. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LIT charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for MOTO.

Performance

LIT vs. MOTO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) and SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with LIT having a 30.84% return and MOTO slightly higher at 31.51%.

LIT

• 1D: -1.78%
• 1M: -2.59%
• YTD: 30.84%
• 6M: 34.89%
• 1Y: 135.24%
• 3Y*: 11.20%
• 5Y*: 4.98%
• 10Y*: 14.81%

MOTO

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 8.20%
• YTD: 31.51%
• 6M: 31.39%
• 1Y: 58.32%
• 3Y*: 21.21%
• 5Y*: 10.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

LIT vs. MOTO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LIT Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF	30.84%	60.05%	-19.19%	-12.18%	-29.91%	36.74%	127.88%	7.27%
MOTO SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF	31.51%	27.38%	2.01%	27.10%	-27.20%	17.22%	59.13%	4.91%

Correlation

The correlation between LIT and MOTO is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2019	0.68

The correlation between LIT and MOTO shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.68 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

LIT vs. MOTO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LIT	MOTO
Basic Materials	55.4%	3.8%
Industrials	26.0%	12.8%
Technology	11.5%	45.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.0%	23.5%
Communication Services	-	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.3%
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	1.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.7%

Return for Risk

LIT vs. MOTO — Risk / Return Rank

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

LIT

LIT Risk / Return Rank: 94
LIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
LIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
LIT Omega Ratio Rank: 90
LIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
LIT Martin Ratio Rank: 96

MOTO

MOTO Risk / Return Rank: 81
MOTO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
MOTO Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
MOTO Omega Ratio Rank: 77
MOTO Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
MOTO Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

LIT vs. MOTO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) and SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO). 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.

	LIT	MOTO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.16	2.77	+1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.45	3.60	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.46	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.37	4.39	+5.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	35.19	15.67	+19.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LIT vs. MOTO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIT Sharpe Ratio is 4.16, which is higher than the MOTO Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIT and MOTO, 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

	LIT	MOTO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.16	2.77	+1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.45	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.72	-0.45

Drawdowns

LIT vs. MOTO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIT drawdown since its inception was -65.91%, which is greater than MOTO's maximum drawdown of -38.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIT and MOTO.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIT	MOTO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.91%	-38.24%	-27.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.11%	-13.36%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-53.01%	-26.43%	-26.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-65.91%	-37.34%	-28.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.53%	0.00%	-8.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.63%	-9.97%	-23.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.86%	3.73%	+0.13%

Volatility

LIT vs. MOTO - Volatility Comparison

Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) has a higher volatility of 8.67% compared to SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO) at 7.63%. This indicates that LIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MOTO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LIT	MOTO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.67%	7.63%	+1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.00%	16.74%	+5.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.68%	21.18%	+11.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.83%	23.62%	+8.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.66%	26.30%	+4.36%

LIT vs. MOTO - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIT has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than MOTO's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

LIT vs. MOTO - Dividend Comparison

LIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than MOTO's 0.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIT Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF	0.37%	0.49%	0.93%	1.11%	0.99%	0.22%	0.40%	1.85%	2.52%	3.26%	2.15%	0.24%
MOTO SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF	0.80%	1.06%	1.07%	2.73%	2.33%	0.55%	2.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LIT and MOTO in my portfolio?

LIT and MOTO have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LIT or MOTO?

LIT has higher volatility (8.67%) compared to MOTO (7.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIT dropped -65.91% vs MOTO's -38.24%.

Which ETF is better, LIT or MOTO?

On 5-year performance, MOTO leads with 10.48% vs 4.98% for LIT. On fees, MOTO is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, MOTO has been the lower-risk option at 7.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LIT or MOTO?

Over the 5-year period, MOTO has performed better with a 10.48% return vs 4.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LIT or MOTO?

MOTO is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for LIT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LIT or MOTO?

MOTO has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.37% for LIT.

What is the main difference between LIT and MOTO?

LIT is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while MOTO is Transportation Equities. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Guinness Atkinson Asset Management. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for LIT and 0.68% for MOTO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.16 vs 2.77), 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.