AFSM vs. ROBT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AFSM (First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF) and ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AFSM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while ROBT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. AFSM is actively managed, while ROBT is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AFSM returned 8.53%/yr vs 2.38%/yr for ROBT. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AFSM charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ROBT.

Performance

AFSM vs. ROBT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) and First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFSM achieves a 15.65% return, which is significantly higher than ROBT's 14.22% return.

AFSM

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: 3.29%
• YTD: 15.65%
• 6M: 15.19%
• 1Y: 30.17%
• 3Y*: 17.93%
• 5Y*: 8.53%
• 10Y*: —

ROBT

• 1D: -1.73%
• 1M: 13.18%
• YTD: 14.22%
• 6M: 12.64%
• 1Y: 30.71%
• 3Y*: 10.10%
• 5Y*: 2.38%
• 10Y*: —

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

AFSM vs. ROBT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AFSM First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF	15.65%	9.99%	10.55%	22.23%	-17.50%	26.03%	8.44%	2.63%
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	14.22%	15.16%	-0.41%	27.77%	-34.94%	9.91%	46.18%	3.55%

Correlation

The correlation between AFSM and ROBT is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2019	0.78

The correlation between AFSM and ROBT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

AFSM vs. ROBT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFSM	ROBT
Technology	20.3%	57.0%
Healthcare	17.8%	7.4%
Industrials	16.9%	20.4%
Financial Services	14.9%	1.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	6.6%
Energy	5.3%	1.5%
Basic Materials	4.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	1.4%
Real Estate	3.8%	-
Communication Services	2.3%	4.1%
Utilities	0.3%	-

Return for Risk

AFSM vs. ROBT — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFSM

AFSM Risk / Return Rank: 54
AFSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
AFSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
AFSM Omega Ratio Rank: 46
AFSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
AFSM Martin Ratio Rank: 59

ROBT

ROBT Risk / Return Rank: 32
ROBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
ROBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
ROBT Omega Ratio Rank: 32
ROBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
ROBT Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

AFSM vs. ROBT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) and First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT). 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.

	AFSM	ROBT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.32	+0.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	1.88	+0.58
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.22	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	1.42	+1.75
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.41	4.09	+6.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFSM vs. ROBT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFSM Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the ROBT Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFSM and ROBT, 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

	AFSM	ROBT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	1.32	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.09	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.35	+0.09

Drawdowns

AFSM vs. ROBT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFSM drawdown since its inception was -43.54%, roughly equal to the maximum ROBT drawdown of -44.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFSM and ROBT.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFSM	ROBT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.54%	-44.47%	+0.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-21.66%	+12.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.07%	-27.68%	+2.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.27%	-43.26%	+14.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.47%	-1.73%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.48%	-15.97%	+6.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	7.53%	-4.63%

Volatility

AFSM vs. ROBT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) is 5.57%, while First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) has a volatility of 6.46%. This indicates that AFSM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ROBT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFSM	ROBT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.57%	6.46%	-0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.14%	17.51%	-4.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.89%	23.32%	-5.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.82%	25.18%	-4.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.40%	25.48%	-0.08%

AFSM vs. ROBT - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFSM has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than ROBT's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFSM vs. ROBT - Dividend Comparison

AFSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%, while ROBT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AFSM First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF	0.47%	0.58%	0.58%	0.92%	1.28%	0.35%	0.53%	0.32%	0.00%
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.68%	0.23%	0.35%	0.06%	0.17%	0.42%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFSM and ROBT in my portfolio?

AFSM and ROBT have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFSM or ROBT?

ROBT has higher volatility (6.46%) compared to AFSM (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFSM dropped -43.54% vs ROBT's -44.47%.

Which ETF is better, AFSM or ROBT?

On 5-year performance, AFSM leads with 8.53% vs 2.38% for ROBT. On fees, ROBT is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, AFSM has been the lower-risk option at 5.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFSM or ROBT?

Over the 5-year period, AFSM has performed better with a 8.53% return vs 2.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFSM or ROBT?

ROBT is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for AFSM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFSM or ROBT?

AFSM has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.00% for ROBT.

What is the main difference between AFSM and ROBT?

AFSM is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while ROBT is Technology Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.77% for AFSM and 0.65% for ROBT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.32), 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.