RCTR vs. ION

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

RCTR (First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF) and ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RCTR is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index, while ION is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RCTR charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for ION.

Performance

RCTR vs. ION - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) 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, RCTR achieves a 3.29% return, which is significantly higher than ION's -5.92% return.

RCTR

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: -1.11%
• 6M: -4.82%
• YTD: 3.29%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ION

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -13.38%
• 6M: -15.27%
• YTD: -5.92%
• 1Y: 61.19%
• 3Y*: 10.22%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RCTR vs. ION - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	3.29%	6.65%
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	-5.92%	65.19%

Correlation

The correlation between RCTR and ION is 0.54, 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 Jul 31, 2025	0.54

Return for Risk

RCTR vs. ION — Risk / Return Rank

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

RCTR

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

ION

ION Risk / Return Rank: 51
ION Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ION Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
ION Omega Ratio Rank: 50
ION Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
ION Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

RCTR vs. ION - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) 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.

	RCTR	ION	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.55	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.02	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.25	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.08	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	6.31	—

Drawdowns

RCTR vs. ION - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RCTR drawdown since its inception was -16.86%, smaller than the maximum ION drawdown of -52.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RCTR and ION.

Drawdown Indicators

	RCTR	ION	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.86%	-52.08%	+35.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-29.46%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-46.47%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.03%	-29.04%	+15.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.46%	-23.63%	+18.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	9.69%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RCTR	ION	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	12.17%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	31.26%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.75%	39.71%	-12.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.75%	31.57%	-4.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.75%	31.57%	-4.82%

RCTR vs. ION - Expense Ratio Comparison

RCTR has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than ION's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

RCTR vs. ION - Dividend Comparison

RCTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, less than ION's 1.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	1.58%	1.63%	1.74%	2.23%	0.13%
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	0.63%	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RCTR and ION in my portfolio?

RCTR and ION have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, RCTR 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, RCTR or ION?

ION is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for RCTR.

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

ION has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 0.63% for RCTR.

What is the main difference between RCTR and ION?

RCTR is categorized as Energy Equities, while ION is Lithium & Battery Metals. RCTR tracks Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index, while ION tracks S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for RCTR and 0.58% for ION.