AIFD vs. FAI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

AIFD (TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF) and FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds. AIFD is actively managed, while FAI is passively managed. Over the past year, AIFD returned 55.82% vs 40.34% for FAI. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AIFD charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FAI.

Performance

AIFD vs. FAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF (AIFD) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIFD achieves a 30.44% return, which is significantly higher than FAI's 23.08% return.

AIFD

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: -5.02%
• 6M: 27.69%
• YTD: 30.44%
• 1Y: 55.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 34.17%

FAI

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -1.97%
• 6M: 21.54%
• YTD: 23.08%
• 1Y: 40.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 35.90%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AIFD TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF	$710.64K	$728.72K	$1.19M
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	$1.56M	$3.03M	$3.57M

AIFD vs. FAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIFD TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF	30.44%	28.30%	1.70%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	23.08%	33.37%	2.28%

Correlation

The correlation between AIFD and FAI is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2024	0.94

The correlation between AIFD and FAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AIFD vs. FAI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AIFD

AIFD Risk / Return Rank: 73
AIFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
AIFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
AIFD Omega Ratio Rank: 67
AIFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
AIFD Martin Ratio Rank: 81

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 48
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 45
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
FAI Martin Ratio Rank: 44

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AIFD vs. FAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF (AIFD) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). 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.

	AIFD	FAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.23	+0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	1.71	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.21	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	1.91	+0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.64	4.97	+5.66

AIFD vs. FAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIFD Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is higher than the FAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIFD and FAI, 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

AIFD vs. FAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIFD drawdown since its inception was -33.20%, which is greater than FAI's maximum drawdown of -27.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIFD and FAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIFD	FAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.20%	-27.82%	-5.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.22%	-18.84%	-1.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.44%	-12.57%	-1.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-5.77%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.93%	7.22%	-2.29%

Volatility

AIFD vs. FAI - Volatility Comparison

TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF (AIFD) has a higher volatility of 11.69% compared to First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) at 10.00%. This indicates that AIFD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIFD	FAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.69%	10.00%	+1.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.06%	24.66%	+0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.35%	29.24%	+1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.57%	31.30%	-0.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.57%	31.30%	-0.73%

AIFD vs. FAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIFD has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than FAI's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIFD vs. FAI - Dividend Comparison

Neither AIFD nor FAI has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AIFD TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIFD and FAI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, AIFD and FAI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AIFD or FAI?

AIFD has higher volatility (11.69%) compared to FAI (10.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIFD dropped -33.20% vs FAI's -27.82%.

Which ETF is better, AIFD or FAI?

On 1-year performance, AIFD leads with 55.82% vs 40.34% for FAI. On fees, FAI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FAI has been the lower-risk option at 10.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIFD or FAI?

Over the 1-year period, AIFD has performed better with a 55.82% return vs 40.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIFD or FAI?

FAI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AIFD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIFD or FAI?

AIFD and FAI have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between AIFD and FAI?

They also come from different issuers: TCW and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AIFD and 0.65% for FAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.23), 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.