ALAI vs. IBIC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALAI (Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF) and IBIC (iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ALAI is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Alger, while IBIC is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. ALAI is actively managed, while IBIC is passively managed. Over the past year, ALAI returned 63.92% vs 4.54% for IBIC. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. ALAI charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBIC.

Performance

ALAI vs. IBIC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALAI achieves a 27.17% return, which is significantly higher than IBIC's 2.37% return.

ALAI

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 13.53%
• YTD: 27.17%
• 6M: 26.74%
• 1Y: 63.92%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIC

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 6M: 2.51%
• 1Y: 4.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ALAI vs. IBIC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	27.17%	39.81%	31.43%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	2.37%	4.96%	4.14%

Correlation

The correlation between ALAI and IBIC is -0.22, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2024	-0.12

The correlation between ALAI and IBIC shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (1 year) to -0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ALAI vs. IBIC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALAI

ALAI Risk / Return Rank: 70
ALAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ALAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
ALAI Omega Ratio Rank: 70
ALAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
ALAI Martin Ratio Rank: 60

IBIC

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

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. IBIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). 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.

	ALAI	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	5.05	-2.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	9.12	-5.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	2.24	-0.82
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	17.27	-13.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.58	67.45	-56.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALAI vs. IBIC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALAI Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is lower than the IBIC Sharpe Ratio of 5.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALAI and IBIC, 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

	ALAI	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	5.05	-2.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.71	3.49	-1.78

Drawdowns

ALAI vs. IBIC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALAI drawdown since its inception was -29.36%, which is greater than IBIC's maximum drawdown of -0.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALAI and IBIC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALAI	IBIC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.36%	-0.90%	-28.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.48%	-0.26%	-19.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.69%	-0.13%	-1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-0.10%	-5.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.06%	0.07%	+5.99%

Volatility

ALAI vs. IBIC - Volatility Comparison

Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) has a higher volatility of 6.97% compared to iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) at 0.33%. This indicates that ALAI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBIC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALAI	IBIC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.97%	0.33%	+6.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.57%	0.67%	+17.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.06%	0.90%	+23.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.41%	1.58%	+26.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.41%	1.58%	+26.83%

ALAI vs. IBIC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALAI has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIC's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALAI vs. IBIC - Dividend Comparison

ALAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, less than IBIC's 3.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	1.18%	1.50%	0.66%	0.00%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	3.59%	4.43%	4.65%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALAI and IBIC in my portfolio?

ALAI and IBIC have a correlation of -0.22, 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 IBIC?

ALAI has higher volatility (6.97%) compared to IBIC (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALAI dropped -29.36% vs IBIC's -0.90%.

Which ETF is better, ALAI or IBIC?

On 1-year performance, ALAI leads with 63.92% vs 4.54% for IBIC. On fees, IBIC is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBIC has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ALAI or IBIC?

Over the 1-year period, ALAI has performed better with a 63.92% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ALAI or IBIC?

IBIC is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ALAI.

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

IBIC has the higher dividend yield at 3.59%, compared with 1.18% for ALAI.

What is the main difference between ALAI and IBIC?

ALAI is categorized as Technology Equities, while IBIC is Inflation-Protected Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Alger and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ALAI and 0.10% for IBIC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.05 vs 2.67), 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.