ALAI vs. CRTC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ALAI (Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF) and CRTC (Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. ALAI is actively managed, while CRTC is passively managed. Over the past year, ALAI returned 55.24% vs 16.75% for CRTC. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ALAI charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for CRTC.

Performance

ALAI vs. CRTC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) and Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALAI achieves a 23.84% return, which is significantly higher than CRTC's 4.11% return.

ALAI

• 1D: -3.08%
• 1M: 2.64%
• YTD: 23.84%
• 6M: 21.16%
• 1Y: 55.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CRTC

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: -1.92%
• YTD: 4.11%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 16.75%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ALAI vs. CRTC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	23.84%	39.81%	32.38%
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	4.11%	18.69%	8.63%

Correlation

The correlation between ALAI and CRTC is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2024	0.82

The correlation between ALAI and CRTC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

ALAI vs. CRTC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ALAI	CRTC
Technology	54.7%	39.5%
Communication Services	21.1%	15.0%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	5.4%
Financial Services	4.0%	0.2%
Utilities	2.8%	5.3%
Industrials	2.2%	12.6%
Healthcare	2.0%	12.7%
Basic Materials	0.5%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Energy	-	6.0%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

ALAI vs. CRTC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALAI

ALAI Risk / Return Rank: 62
ALAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ALAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ALAI Omega Ratio Rank: 61
ALAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ALAI Martin Ratio Rank: 55

CRTC

CRTC Risk / Return Rank: 38
CRTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
CRTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CRTC Omega Ratio Rank: 35
CRTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
CRTC Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

ALAI vs. CRTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) and Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC). 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.

	ALAI	CRTC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.24	+0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	1.70	+1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.22	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	1.86	+0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.95	6.48	+2.47

ALAI vs. CRTC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALAI Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the CRTC Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALAI and CRTC, 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

ALAI vs. CRTC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALAI drawdown since its inception was -29.36%, which is greater than CRTC's maximum drawdown of -19.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALAI and CRTC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALAI	CRTC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.36%	-19.07%	-10.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.48%	-9.05%	-10.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.34%	-5.35%	+1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.12%	-2.17%	-2.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.19%	2.59%	+3.60%

Volatility

ALAI vs. CRTC - Volatility Comparison

Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) has a higher volatility of 11.00% compared to Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC) at 5.76%. This indicates that ALAI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CRTC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALAI	CRTC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.00%	5.76%	+5.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.54%	10.64%	+9.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.98%	13.55%	+12.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.89%	15.88%	+13.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.89%	15.88%	+13.01%

ALAI vs. CRTC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALAI has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than CRTC's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALAI vs. CRTC - Dividend Comparison

ALAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, more than CRTC's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	1.21%	1.50%	0.66%	0.00%
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	0.91%	1.03%	1.13%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALAI and CRTC in my portfolio?

ALAI and CRTC have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALAI or CRTC?

ALAI has higher volatility (11.00%) compared to CRTC (5.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALAI dropped -29.36% vs CRTC's -19.07%.

Which ETF is better, ALAI or CRTC?

On 1-year performance, ALAI leads with 55.24% vs 16.75% for CRTC. On fees, CRTC is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, CRTC has been the lower-risk option at 5.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ALAI or CRTC?

Over the 1-year period, ALAI has performed better with a 55.24% return vs 16.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ALAI or CRTC?

CRTC is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ALAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ALAI or CRTC?

ALAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.21%, compared with 0.91% for CRTC.

What is the main difference between ALAI and CRTC?

They also come from different issuers: Alger and Xtrackers. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ALAI and 0.35% for CRTC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.24), 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.