LIT vs. SQM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LIT (Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF) is Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Lithium Index, while SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, LIT returned 14.38%/yr vs 16.84%/yr for SQM. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

LIT vs. SQM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LIT achieves a 28.40% return, which is significantly higher than SQM's 14.21% return. Over the past 10 years, LIT has underperformed SQM with an annualized return of 14.38%, while SQM has yielded a comparatively higher 16.84% annualized return.

LIT

• 1D: -1.86%
• 1M: -5.85%
• YTD: 28.40%
• 6M: 34.19%
• 1Y: 125.46%
• 3Y*: 10.73%
• 5Y*: 4.59%
• 10Y*: 14.38%

SQM

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: -15.18%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 29.74%
• 1Y: 145.82%
• 3Y*: 6.08%
• 5Y*: 15.94%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

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

LIT vs. SQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LIT Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF	28.40%	60.05%	-19.19%	-12.18%	-29.91%	36.74%	127.88%	3.27%	-28.63%	64.19%
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.	14.21%	89.55%	-39.35%	-18.47%	71.62%	6.82%	89.19%	-27.30%	-32.71%	115.00%

Correlation

The correlation between LIT and SQM is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2010	0.67

The correlation between LIT and SQM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LIT vs. SQM — Risk / Return Rank

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

LIT

LIT Risk / Return Rank: 93
LIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
LIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
LIT Omega Ratio Rank: 89
LIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
LIT Martin Ratio Rank: 95

SQM

SQM Risk / Return Rank: 92
SQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SQM Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SQM Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. SQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM). 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	SQM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.86	2.92	+0.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.23	3.31	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.40	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.62	7.54	+2.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	32.28	19.14	+13.15
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. SQM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIT Sharpe Ratio is 3.86, which is higher than the SQM Sharpe Ratio of 2.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIT and SQM, 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	SQM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.86	2.92	+0.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	0.32	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.37	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.42	-0.15

Drawdowns

LIT vs. SQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIT drawdown since its inception was -65.91%, smaller than the maximum SQM drawdown of -78.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIT and SQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIT	SQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.91%	-78.34%	+12.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.11%	-19.47%	+6.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-53.01%	-61.32%	+8.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-65.91%	-69.76%	+3.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.91%	-72.98%	+7.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.23%	-20.75%	+10.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.63%	-30.33%	-3.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.90%	7.65%	-3.75%

Volatility

LIT vs. SQM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) is 8.66%, while Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) has a volatility of 11.16%. This indicates that LIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SQM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LIT	SQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.66%	11.16%	-2.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.09%	35.14%	-13.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.75%	50.40%	-17.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.81%	49.65%	-17.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.66%	46.04%	-15.38%

Dividends

LIT vs. SQM - Dividend Comparison

LIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than SQM's 1.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIT Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF	0.38%	0.49%	0.93%	1.11%	0.99%	0.22%	0.40%	1.85%	2.52%	3.26%	2.15%	0.24%
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.	1.48%	0.18%	0.59%	8.34%	9.66%	3.92%	1.64%	4.55%	5.37%	2.73%	4.77%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LIT and SQM in my portfolio?

LIT and SQM have a correlation of 0.71, 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 SQM?

SQM has higher volatility (11.16%) compared to LIT (8.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIT dropped -65.91% vs SQM's -78.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.86 vs 2.92), 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.