AIS vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AIS (VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. AIS is actively managed, while XLK is passively managed. Over the past year, AIS returned 226.72% vs 66.93% for XLK. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AIS charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

AIS vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIS achieves a 118.61% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 36.47% return.

AIS

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 35.87%
• YTD: 118.61%
• 6M: 122.65%
• 1Y: 226.72%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

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

AIS vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	118.61%	58.35%	-4.92%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	-1.65%

Correlation

The correlation between AIS and XLK is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2024	0.87

The correlation between AIS and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIS vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIS	XLK
Technology	84.6%	99.7%
Industrials	8.9%	0.1%
Utilities	3.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Financial Services	-0.0%	-

Return for Risk

AIS vs. XLK — 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: 96
AIS Omega Ratio Rank: 96
AIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	AIS	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	6.34	3.24	+3.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.78	3.92	+1.86
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.80	1.52	+0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	14.41	4.22	+10.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	47.43	14.16	+33.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIS vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIS Sharpe Ratio is 6.34, which is higher than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIS and XLK, 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

	AIS	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.34	3.24	+3.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.96	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.06	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.24	0.42	+2.82

Drawdowns

AIS vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIS drawdown since its inception was -32.78%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIS and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIS	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.78%	-82.05%	+49.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.84%	-15.92%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-25.66%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.56%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.00%	+1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.45%	-34.96%	+29.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.80%	4.74%	+0.06%

Volatility

AIS vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) has a higher volatility of 16.12% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 6.98%. This indicates that AIS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIS	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.12%	6.98%	+9.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.95%	16.68%	+13.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.00%	20.82%	+15.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.04%	24.90%	+13.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.04%	24.49%	+13.55%

AIS vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

AIS vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

AIS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%.

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%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIS and XLK in my portfolio?

AIS and XLK have a correlation of 0.85, 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 XLK?

AIS has higher volatility (16.12%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIS dropped -32.78% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, AIS or XLK?

On 1-year performance, AIS leads with 226.72% vs 66.93% for XLK. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 6.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIS or XLK?

Over the 1-year period, AIS has performed better with a 226.72% return vs 66.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIS or XLK?

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

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

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.00% for AIS.

What is the main difference between AIS and XLK?

They also come from different issuers: VistaShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AIS and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.34 vs 3.24), 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.