NIKL vs. GBUG

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) and Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG).

NIKL and GBUG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. NIKL is a passively managed fund by Sprott that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq Sprott Nickel Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross. It was launched on Mar 21, 2023. GBUG is an actively managed fund by Sprott. It was launched on Feb 19, 2025.

Performance

NIKL vs. GBUG - Performance Comparison

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

NIKL vs. GBUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	4.61%	54.51%
GBUG Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF	9.41%	119.00%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NIKL achieves a 4.61% return, which is significantly lower than GBUG's 9.41% return.

NIKL

• 1D: 2.78%
• 1M: -15.83%
• YTD: 4.61%
• 6M: 12.89%
• 1Y: 90.01%
• 3Y*: -1.58%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GBUG

• 1D: 5.19%
• 1M: -17.50%
• YTD: 9.41%
• 6M: 28.09%
• 1Y: 124.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NIKL vs. GBUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

NIKL has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than GBUG's 0.89% expense ratio.

GBUG

Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF

NIKL

Sprott Nickel Miners ETF

Return for Risk

NIKL vs. GBUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

NIKL

NIKL Risk / Return Rank: 87
NIKL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
NIKL Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
NIKL Omega Ratio Rank: 83
NIKL Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
NIKL Martin Ratio Rank: 80

GBUG

GBUG Risk / Return Rank: 93
GBUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
GBUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
GBUG Omega Ratio Rank: 91
GBUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
GBUG Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. GBUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) and Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG). 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	GBUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.58	-0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	2.69	+0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.40	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	3.84	-0.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.50	13.76	-4.25
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. GBUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NIKL Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the GBUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NIKL and GBUG, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NIKL	GBUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	2.58	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	2.53	-2.52

Correlation

The correlation between NIKL and GBUG is 0.54, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

NIKL vs. GBUG - Dividend Comparison

NIKL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.42%, more than GBUG's 1.42% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	2.42%	2.53%	3.49%	19.52%
GBUG Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF	1.42%	1.56%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

NIKL vs. GBUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NIKL drawdown since its inception was -60.23%, which is greater than GBUG's maximum drawdown of -32.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NIKL and GBUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	NIKL	GBUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.23%	-32.10%	-28.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.33%	-32.10%	+2.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.08%	-17.83%	-2.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.00%	-5.57%	-21.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.35%	8.97%	+0.38%

Volatility

NIKL vs. GBUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) is 16.87%, while Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG) has a volatility of 18.82%. This indicates that NIKL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GBUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NIKL	GBUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.87%	18.82%	-1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.15%	40.68%	-7.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.35%	48.64%	-7.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.74%	47.55%	-15.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.74%	47.55%	-15.81%