ZSB vs. ILIT
ZSB (USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund) and ILIT (Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF) are both Lithium & Battery Metals funds - ZSB tracks the S&P GSCI Electric Vehicle Meals Index while ILIT tracks the STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ZSB returned 1.91%/yr vs -6.55%/yr for ILIT. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ZSB charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for ILIT.
Performance
ZSB vs. ILIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ZSB achieves a 4.41% return, which is significantly lower than ILIT's 15.18% return.
ZSB
- 1D
- -2.97%
- 1M
- -7.84%
- YTD
- 4.41%
- 6M
- 6.25%
- 1Y
- 59.70%
- 3Y*
- 1.91%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ILIT
- 1D
- -4.36%
- 1M
- -10.78%
- YTD
- 15.18%
- 6M
- 12.51%
- 1Y
- 147.87%
- 3Y*
- -6.55%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ZSB vs. ILIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ZSB USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund | 4.41% | 64.34% | -19.70% | -23.69% |
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF | 15.18% | 81.51% | -45.14% | -28.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between ZSB and ILIT is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2023 | 0.43 |
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Return for Risk
ZSB vs. ILIT — Risk / Return Rank
ZSB
ILIT
ZSB vs. ILIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund (ZSB) and Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT). 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.
| ZSB | ILIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.67 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.40 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.58 | 5.58 | -1.99 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.56 | 15.54 | -5.99 |
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Drawdowns
ZSB vs. ILIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ZSB drawdown since its inception was -49.26%, smaller than the maximum ILIT drawdown of -73.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZSB and ILIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ZSB | ILIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -49.26% | -73.69% | +24.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.75% | -26.68% | +9.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.22% | -73.69% | +30.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.97% | -24.65% | +12.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -30.58% | -45.39% | +14.81% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.27% | 9.55% | -3.28% |
Volatility
ZSB vs. ILIT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund (ZSB) is 5.63%, while Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) has a volatility of 15.14%. This indicates that ZSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ILIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ZSB | ILIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.63% | 15.14% | -9.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 22.46% | 35.33% | -12.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.67% | 50.74% | -24.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.62% | 42.02% | -22.40% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.62% | 42.02% | -22.40% |
ZSB vs. ILIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
ZSB has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than ILIT's 0.47% expense ratio.
Dividends
ZSB vs. ILIT - Dividend Comparison
ZSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than ILIT's 1.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF | 1.79% | 2.27% | 6.48% | 0.69% |
ZSB USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund | 0.88% | 0.92% | 2.96% | 3.59% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ZSB and ILIT have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ILIT has higher volatility (15.14%) compared to ZSB (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZSB dropped -49.26% vs ILIT's -73.69%.
On 3-year performance, ZSB leads with 1.91% vs -6.55% for ILIT. On fees, ILIT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, ZSB has been the lower-risk option at 5.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, ZSB has performed better with a 1.91% return vs -6.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ILIT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for ZSB.
ILIT has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 0.88% for ZSB.
ZSB tracks S&P GSCI Electric Vehicle Meals Index, while ILIT tracks STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: USCF and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for ZSB and 0.47% for ILIT.
ILIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 2.26), 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.
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