AI vs. ROBO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AI (C3.ai, Inc.) is a stock, while ROBO (ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF) is Robotics fund tracking the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation TR Index. Over the past 5 years, AI returned -30.92%/yr vs 6.41%/yr for ROBO. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

AI vs. ROBO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in C3.ai, Inc. (AI) and ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AI achieves a -28.04% return, which is significantly lower than ROBO's 25.02% return.

AI

• 1D: -5.83%
• 1M: 4.41%
• YTD: -28.04%
• 6M: -33.65%
• 1Y: -58.90%
• 3Y*: -33.77%
• 5Y*: -30.92%
• 10Y*: —

ROBO

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: 25.02%
• 6M: 24.43%
• 1Y: 54.66%
• 3Y*: 15.63%
• 5Y*: 6.41%
• 10Y*: 13.65%

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

AI vs. ROBO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AI C3.ai, Inc.	-28.04%	-60.85%	19.92%	156.57%	-64.19%	-77.48%	38.75%
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF	25.02%	23.71%	-1.28%	23.74%	-33.92%	15.34%	4.72%

Correlation

The correlation between AI and ROBO is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2020	0.59

The correlation between AI and ROBO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AI vs. ROBO — Risk / Return Rank

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

AI

AI Risk / Return Rank: 10
AI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
AI Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
AI Omega Ratio Rank: 8
AI Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
AI Martin Ratio Rank: 17

ROBO

ROBO Risk / Return Rank: 67
ROBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
ROBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
ROBO Omega Ratio Rank: 64
ROBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
ROBO Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

AI vs. ROBO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for C3.ai, Inc. (AI) and ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO). 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.

	AI	ROBO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.90	2.23	-3.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.30	2.89	-4.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.37	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.80	3.17	-3.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.12	11.92	-13.04

AI vs. ROBO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AI Sharpe Ratio is -0.90, which is lower than the ROBO Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AI and ROBO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AI vs. ROBO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AI drawdown since its inception was -95.63%, which is greater than ROBO's maximum drawdown of -43.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AI and ROBO.

Drawdown Indicators

	AI	ROBO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.63%	-43.65%	-51.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-73.39%	-17.35%	-56.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-82.51%	-27.92%	-54.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-88.32%	-43.65%	-44.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-94.53%	-4.08%	-90.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-81.97%	-12.91%	-69.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	52.73%	4.60%	+48.13%

Volatility

AI vs. ROBO - Volatility Comparison

C3.ai, Inc. (AI) has a higher volatility of 18.04% compared to ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) at 10.76%. This indicates that AI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ROBO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AI	ROBO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.04%	10.76%	+7.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	48.17%	19.98%	+28.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	65.65%	24.69%	+40.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	77.68%	23.98%	+53.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	81.99%	23.32%	+58.67%

Dividends

AI vs. ROBO - Dividend Comparison

AI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ROBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AI C3.ai, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF	0.34%	0.42%	0.55%	0.05%	0.00%	0.18%	0.20%	0.37%	0.37%	0.02%	0.19%	0.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AI and ROBO in my portfolio?

AI and ROBO have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AI or ROBO?

AI has higher volatility (18.04%) compared to ROBO (10.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AI dropped -95.63% vs ROBO's -43.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs -0.90), 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.