AIRR vs. VIS

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) and VIS (Vanguard Industrials ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index, while VIS is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AIRR returned 20.37%/yr vs 13.72%/yr for VIS. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AIRR charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VIS.

Performance

AIRR vs. VIS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) and Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIRR achieves a 23.60% return, which is significantly higher than VIS's 16.86% return. Over the past 10 years, AIRR has outperformed VIS with an annualized return of 20.37%, while VIS has yielded a comparatively lower 13.72% annualized return.

AIRR

• 1D: -1.76%
• 1M: -6.18%
• 6M: 11.62%
• YTD: 23.60%
• 1Y: 43.19%
• 3Y*: 31.65%
• 5Y*: 25.07%
• 10Y*: 20.37%

VIS

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 1.04%
• 6M: 9.98%
• YTD: 16.86%
• 1Y: 22.66%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 13.65%
• 10Y*: 13.72%

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

AIRR vs. VIS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	23.60%	27.92%	33.45%	31.43%	-2.08%	33.01%	17.17%	33.97%	-20.57%	16.28%
VIS Vanguard Industrials ETF	16.86%	18.57%	16.85%	22.50%	-8.57%	20.80%	12.34%	30.09%	-14.01%	21.47%

Correlation

The correlation between AIRR and VIS is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2014	0.86

The correlation between AIRR and VIS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIRR vs. VIS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIRR	VIS
Industrials	80.8%	88.4%
Financial Services	9.6%	0.2%
Energy	3.8%	0.5%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	1.9%	1.1%
Technology	0.7%	3.9%
Communication Services	-	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	0.0%
Utilities	-	3.8%

Return for Risk

AIRR vs. VIS — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 66
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 53
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AIRR Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VIS

VIS Risk / Return Rank: 47
VIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VIS Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VIS Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

AIRR vs. VIS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) and Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS). 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.

	AIRR	VIS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.28	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	1.88	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.22	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	1.85	+1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.47	7.56	+3.91

AIRR vs. VIS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIRR Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the VIS Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIRR and VIS, 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

AIRR vs. VIS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIRR drawdown since its inception was -42.37%, smaller than the maximum VIS drawdown of -63.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIRR and VIS.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIRR	VIS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.37%	-63.51%	+21.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.09%	-12.29%	-0.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.95%	-20.80%	-7.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.95%	-22.96%	-4.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.37%	-42.42%	+0.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.86%	-3.70%	-5.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.45%	-8.34%	+0.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.78%	3.00%	+0.78%

Volatility

AIRR vs. VIS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) has a higher volatility of 9.25% compared to Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) at 6.34%. This indicates that AIRR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIRR	VIS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.25%	6.34%	+2.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.15%	14.49%	+6.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.11%	17.76%	+9.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.53%	18.55%	+6.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.35%	20.46%	+5.89%

AIRR vs. VIS - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIRR has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than VIS's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIRR vs. VIS - Dividend Comparison

AIRR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than VIS's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.09%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
VIS Vanguard Industrials ETF	0.89%	1.01%	1.23%	1.36%	1.52%	1.11%	1.38%	1.68%	1.90%	1.60%	1.81%	1.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIRR and VIS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, AIRR and VIS 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, AIRR or VIS?

AIRR has higher volatility (9.25%) compared to VIS (6.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIRR dropped -42.37% vs VIS's -63.51%.

Which ETF is better, AIRR or VIS?

On 10-year performance, AIRR leads with 20.37% vs 13.72% for VIS. On fees, VIS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VIS has been the lower-risk option at 6.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIRR or VIS?

Over the 10-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 20.37% return vs 13.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIRR or VIS?

VIS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIRR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIRR or VIS?

VIS has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.09% for AIRR.

What is the main difference between AIRR and VIS?

AIRR is categorized as Building & Construction, while VIS is Industrials Equities. AIRR tracks Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index, while VIS tracks MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for AIRR and 0.09% for VIS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.28), 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.