NIKL vs. EIPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NIKL (Sprott Nickel Miners ETF) and EIPX (FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds. NIKL is passively managed, while EIPX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, NIKL returned -3.41%/yr vs 21.12%/yr for EIPX. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NIKL charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for EIPX.

Performance

NIKL vs. EIPX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NIKL achieves a -8.20% return, which is significantly lower than EIPX's 21.96% return.

NIKL

• 1D: -8.49%
• 1M: -14.45%
• YTD: -8.20%
• 6M: 5.56%
• 1Y: 32.72%
• 3Y*: -3.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EIPX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -2.12%
• YTD: 21.96%
• 6M: 19.46%
• 1Y: 30.04%
• 3Y*: 21.12%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NIKL vs. EIPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	-8.20%	52.05%	-22.48%	-17.88%
EIPX FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF	21.96%	11.44%	19.11%	15.10%

Correlation

The correlation between NIKL and EIPX is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2023	0.31

Over the past year, the correlation between NIKL and EIPX has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.31, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

NIKL vs. EIPX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NIKL	EIPX
Basic Materials	100.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	69.5%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	4.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.2%
Utilities	-	26.1%

Return for Risk

NIKL vs. EIPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NIKL

NIKL Risk / Return Rank: 23
NIKL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
NIKL Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
NIKL Omega Ratio Rank: 23
NIKL Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
NIKL Martin Ratio Rank: 22

EIPX

EIPX Risk / Return Rank: 86
EIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
EIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
EIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
EIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
EIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

NIKL vs. EIPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) and FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF (EIPX). 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.

	NIKL	EIPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	2.71	-1.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	3.82	-2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.46	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	7.32	-6.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.67	20.31	-17.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NIKL vs. EIPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NIKL Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is lower than the EIPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NIKL and EIPX, 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

	NIKL	EIPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	2.71	-1.93
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.11	1.20	-1.31

Drawdowns

NIKL vs. EIPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NIKL drawdown since its inception was -60.23%, which is greater than EIPX's maximum drawdown of -15.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NIKL and EIPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NIKL	EIPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.23%	-15.43%	-44.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.87%	-4.12%	-25.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.23%	-15.43%	-44.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.87%	-2.58%	-27.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.58%	-2.27%	-24.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.29%	1.49%	+10.80%

Volatility

NIKL vs. EIPX - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) has a higher volatility of 15.28% compared to FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF (EIPX) at 4.01%. This indicates that NIKL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EIPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NIKL	EIPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.28%	4.01%	+11.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.54%	8.50%	+27.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.12%	11.17%	+30.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.62%	15.06%	+17.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.62%	15.06%	+17.56%

NIKL vs. EIPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NIKL has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than EIPX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

NIKL vs. EIPX - Dividend Comparison

NIKL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, more than EIPX's 2.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
EIPX FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF	2.68%	3.23%	3.27%	3.48%	0.34%
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	2.75%	2.53%	3.49%	19.52%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NIKL and EIPX in my portfolio?

NIKL and EIPX have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NIKL or EIPX?

NIKL has higher volatility (15.28%) compared to EIPX (4.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NIKL dropped -60.23% vs EIPX's -15.43%.

Which ETF is better, NIKL or EIPX?

On 3-year performance, EIPX leads with 21.12% vs -3.41% for NIKL. On fees, NIKL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, EIPX has been the lower-risk option at 4.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NIKL or EIPX?

Over the 3-year period, EIPX has performed better with a 21.12% return vs -3.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NIKL or EIPX?

NIKL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for EIPX.

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

NIKL has the higher dividend yield at 2.75%, compared with 2.68% for EIPX.

What is the main difference between NIKL and EIPX?

They also come from different issuers: Sprott and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for NIKL and 0.95% for EIPX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EIPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 0.78), 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.