LITP vs. CPER

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LITP (Sprott Lithium Miners ETF) and CPER (United States Copper Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - LITP is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while CPER is a Metals fund tracking the SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LITP returned -0.12%/yr vs 19.71%/yr for CPER. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LITP charges 0.65%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for CPER.

Performance

LITP vs. CPER - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) and United States Copper Index Fund (CPER). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LITP achieves a 28.96% return, which is significantly higher than CPER's 12.76% return.

LITP

• 1D: -4.66%
• 1M: -7.17%
• YTD: 28.96%
• 6M: 41.58%
• 1Y: 218.79%
• 3Y*: -0.12%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CPER

• 1D: -2.91%
• 1M: 10.79%
• YTD: 12.76%
• 6M: 19.35%
• 1Y: 29.71%
• 3Y*: 19.71%
• 5Y*: 7.21%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

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

LITP vs. CPER - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	28.96%	94.65%	-43.85%	-36.14%
CPER United States Copper Index Fund	12.76%	38.95%	4.23%	-2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between LITP and CPER is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2023	0.43

Return for Risk

LITP vs. CPER — Risk / Return Rank

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

LITP

LITP Risk / Return Rank: 87
LITP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
LITP Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
LITP Omega Ratio Rank: 74
LITP Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
LITP Martin Ratio Rank: 90

CPER

CPER Risk / Return Rank: 24
CPER Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
CPER Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
CPER Omega Ratio Rank: 30
CPER Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
CPER Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

LITP vs. CPER - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) and United States Copper Index Fund (CPER). 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.

	LITP	CPER	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.78	0.87	+2.92
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	1.22	+2.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.20	+0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.08	1.20	+5.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	21.48	2.50	+18.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LITP vs. CPER - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LITP Sharpe Ratio is 3.78, which is higher than the CPER Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LITP and CPER, 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

	LITP	CPER	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78	0.87	+2.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.07	0.13	-0.20

Drawdowns

LITP vs. CPER - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LITP drawdown since its inception was -74.72%, which is greater than CPER's maximum drawdown of -54.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LITP and CPER.

Drawdown Indicators

	LITP	CPER	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.72%	-54.04%	-20.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.12%	-24.77%	-6.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-74.31%	-24.77%	-49.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.75%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.47%	-2.91%	-11.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.29%	-25.41%	-16.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.23%	11.93%	-1.70%

Volatility

LITP vs. CPER - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) has a higher volatility of 13.36% compared to United States Copper Index Fund (CPER) at 9.73%. This indicates that LITP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CPER based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LITP	CPER	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.36%	9.73%	+3.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.69%	22.85%	+16.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.34%	34.48%	+23.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	47.34%	26.97%	+20.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.34%	24.04%	+23.30%

LITP vs. CPER - Expense Ratio Comparison

LITP has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than CPER's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

LITP vs. CPER - Dividend Comparison

LITP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.74%, while CPER has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CPER United States Copper Index Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	5.74%	7.41%	6.55%	2.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LITP and CPER in my portfolio?

LITP and CPER have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LITP or CPER?

LITP has higher volatility (13.36%) compared to CPER (9.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LITP dropped -74.72% vs CPER's -54.04%.

Which ETF is better, LITP or CPER?

On 3-year performance, CPER leads with 19.71% vs -0.12% for LITP. On fees, LITP is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, CPER has been the lower-risk option at 9.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LITP or CPER?

Over the 3-year period, CPER has performed better with a 19.71% return vs -0.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LITP or CPER?

LITP is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for CPER.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LITP or CPER?

LITP has the higher dividend yield at 5.74%, compared with 0.00% for CPER.

What is the main difference between LITP and CPER?

LITP is categorized as Energy Equities, while CPER is Metals. LITP tracks Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while CPER tracks SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LITP and 1.06% for CPER.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LITP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 vs 0.87), 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.