METL vs. ION

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

METL (Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF) and ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - METL is a Natural Resources fund actively managed by Sprott, while ION is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net. METL is actively managed, while ION is passively managed. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. METL charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for ION.

Performance

METL vs. ION - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL) 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, METL achieves a 11.55% return, which is significantly lower than ION's 13.12% return.

METL

• 1D: 3.12%
• 1M: -6.52%
• YTD: 11.55%
• 6M: 15.65%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ION

• 1D: 4.15%
• 1M: -8.49%
• YTD: 13.12%
• 6M: 23.38%
• 1Y: 112.30%
• 3Y*: 17.31%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

METL vs. ION - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	11.55%	28.19%
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	13.12%	44.64%

Correlation

The correlation between METL and ION is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2025	0.72

Return for Risk

METL vs. ION — Risk / Return Rank

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

METL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

ION

ION Risk / Return Rank: 84
ION Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
ION Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ION Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ION Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
ION Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

METL vs. ION - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL) 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.

	METL	ION	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.81	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.09	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.40	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	4.74	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	15.01	—

Drawdowns

METL vs. ION - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum METL drawdown since its inception was -27.39%, smaller than the maximum ION drawdown of -52.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for METL and ION.

Drawdown Indicators

	METL	ION	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.39%	-52.08%	+24.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-23.30%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-46.47%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.42%	-14.68%	-0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.42%	-23.64%	+15.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.34%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	METL	ION	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	15.42%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	31.74%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.21%	39.38%	+5.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.21%	31.51%	+13.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	45.21%	31.51%	+13.70%

METL vs. ION - Expense Ratio Comparison

METL has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than ION's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

METL vs. ION - Dividend Comparison

METL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than ION's 1.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	1.41%	1.63%	1.74%	2.23%	0.13%
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	0.89%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both METL and ION in my portfolio?

METL and ION have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, METL or ION?

On fees, ION is cheaper at 0.58% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, METL or ION?

ION is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for METL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, METL or ION?

ION has the higher dividend yield at 1.41%, compared with 0.89% for METL.

What is the main difference between METL and ION?

METL is categorized as Natural Resources, while ION is Lithium & Battery Metals. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for METL and 0.58% for ION.