LITP vs. NIKL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

LITP (Sprott Lithium Miners ETF) and NIKL (Sprott Nickel Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LITP is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while NIKL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Nickel Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LITP returned -13.11%/yr vs -8.38%/yr for NIKL. Their 0.58 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. LITP charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for NIKL.

Performance

LITP vs. NIKL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with LITP having a -17.54% return and NIKL slightly lower at -18.37%.

LITP

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: -19.49%
• 6M: -23.27%
• YTD: -17.54%
• 1Y: 63.07%
• 3Y*: -13.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -14.86%

NIKL

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -2.06%
• 6M: -28.75%
• YTD: -18.37%
• 1Y: 12.15%
• 3Y*: -8.38%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -7.15%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	$235.50K	$292.96K	$956.89K
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	$508.08K	$720.05K	$1.85M

LITP vs. NIKL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	-17.54%	94.65%	-43.85%	-17.38%
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	-18.37%	52.05%	-22.48%	-19.00%

Correlation

The correlation between LITP and NIKL is 0.61, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2023	0.58

The correlation between LITP and NIKL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

LITP vs. NIKL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LITP	NIKL
Basic Materials	100.0%	96.3%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	3.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

LITP vs. NIKL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

LITP

LITP Risk / Return Rank: 43
LITP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
LITP Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
LITP Omega Ratio Rank: 44
LITP Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
LITP Martin Ratio Rank: 37

NIKL

NIKL Risk / Return Rank: 19
NIKL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
NIKL Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
NIKL Omega Ratio Rank: 21
NIKL Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
NIKL Martin Ratio Rank: 16

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

LITP vs. NIKL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) and Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL). 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.

	LITP	NIKL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	0.34	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	0.77	+0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.09	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	0.36	+1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.81	0.77	+3.04

LITP vs. NIKL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LITP Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is higher than the NIKL Sharpe Ratio of 0.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LITP and NIKL, 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

LITP vs. NIKL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LITP drawdown since its inception was -74.94%, which is greater than NIKL's maximum drawdown of -60.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LITP and NIKL.

Drawdown Indicators

	LITP	NIKL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.94%	-60.23%	-14.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-45.50%	-40.15%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-70.76%	-57.61%	-13.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-45.32%	-37.64%	-7.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.29%	-26.98%	-15.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.84%	18.70%	-1.86%

Volatility

LITP vs. NIKL - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) and Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) have volatilities of 10.66% and 10.54%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LITP	NIKL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.66%	10.54%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.49%	34.99%	+5.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.82%	42.92%	+15.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	47.58%	32.99%	+14.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.58%	32.99%	+14.59%

LITP vs. NIKL - Expense Ratio Comparison

LITP has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than NIKL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

LITP vs. NIKL - Dividend Comparison

LITP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.98%, more than NIKL's 3.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	8.98%	7.41%	6.55%	2.80%
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	3.10%	2.53%	3.49%	19.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LITP and NIKL in my portfolio?

LITP and NIKL have a correlation of 0.61, 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 NIKL?

LITP has higher volatility (10.66%) compared to NIKL (10.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LITP dropped -74.94% vs NIKL's -60.23%.

Which ETF is better, LITP or NIKL?

On 3-year performance, NIKL leads with -8.38% vs -13.11% for LITP. On fees, LITP is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, NIKL has been the lower-risk option at 10.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LITP or NIKL?

Over the 3-year period, NIKL has performed better with a -8.38% return vs -13.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LITP or NIKL?

LITP is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for NIKL.

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

LITP has the higher dividend yield at 8.98%, compared with 3.10% for NIKL.

What is the main difference between LITP and NIKL?

LITP is categorized as Lithium & Battery Metals, while NIKL is Energy Equities. LITP tracks Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while NIKL tracks Nasdaq Sprott Nickel Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LITP and 0.75% for NIKL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LITP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 0.34), 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.