AIS vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

AIS (VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIS is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by VistaShares, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. AIS is actively managed, while DGRO is passively managed. Over the past year, AIS returned 224.93% vs 22.71% for DGRO. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AIS charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

AIS vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIS achieves a 126.56% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 8.76% return.

AIS

• 1D: 7.08%
• 1M: 21.89%
• YTD: 126.56%
• 6M: 132.34%
• 1Y: 224.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 1.34%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.87%
• 1Y: 22.71%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 11.37%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

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

AIS vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	126.56%	58.35%	-4.74%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	15.69%	-4.71%

Correlation

The correlation between AIS and DGRO is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.42

AIS vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIS	DGRO
Technology	88.5%	22.0%
Industrials	7.4%	10.4%
Utilities	2.6%	6.4%
Basic Materials	-	2.4%
Communication Services	-	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	11.1%
Energy	-	5.1%
Healthcare	-	16.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Financial Services	-0.0%	20.6%

Return for Risk

AIS vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIS

AIS Risk / Return Rank: 97
AIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
AIS Omega Ratio Rank: 95
AIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 78
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

AIS vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). 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.

	AIS	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.47	2.40	+3.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.94	3.49	+1.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.43	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	13.99	3.53	+10.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	43.12	13.65	+29.47

AIS vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIS Sharpe Ratio is 5.47, which is higher than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIS and DGRO, 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

AIS vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIS drawdown since its inception was -32.78%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIS and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIS	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.78%	-35.10%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.84%	-6.47%	-9.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.03%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.31%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.29%	+1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.48%	-3.43%	-2.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.13%	1.67%	+3.46%

Volatility

AIS vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) has a higher volatility of 21.62% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.67%. This indicates that AIS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIS	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.62%	2.67%	+18.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.01%	6.94%	+28.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.50%	9.53%	+30.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.45%	13.81%	+26.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.45%	16.63%	+23.82%

AIS vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIS has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIS vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

AIS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.97%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIS and DGRO in my portfolio?

AIS and DGRO have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIS or DGRO?

AIS has higher volatility (21.62%) compared to DGRO (2.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIS dropped -32.78% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, AIS or DGRO?

On 1-year performance, AIS leads with 224.93% vs 22.71% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIS or DGRO?

Over the 1-year period, AIS has performed better with a 224.93% return vs 22.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIS or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AIS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIS or DGRO?

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.97%, compared with 0.00% for AIS.

What is the main difference between AIS and DGRO?

AIS is categorized as Technology Equities, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: VistaShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AIS and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.47 vs 2.40), 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.