ARTY vs. TRFK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARTY (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) and TRFK (Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - ARTY tracks the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index while TRFK tracks the Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ARTY returned 36.54%/yr vs 54.15%/yr for TRFK. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARTY charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for TRFK.

Performance

ARTY vs. TRFK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARTY achieves a 66.09% return, which is significantly lower than TRFK's 69.94% return.

ARTY

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 26.10%
• YTD: 66.09%
• 6M: 63.47%
• 1Y: 112.42%
• 3Y*: 36.54%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: —

TRFK

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 31.98%
• YTD: 69.94%
• 6M: 62.01%
• 1Y: 103.92%
• 3Y*: 54.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ARTY vs. TRFK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ARTY iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	66.09%	29.97%	8.02%	36.37%	-10.95%
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	69.94%	26.81%	38.30%	66.63%	-10.61%

Correlation

The correlation between ARTY and TRFK 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2022	0.88

The correlation between ARTY and TRFK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARTY vs. TRFK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARTY	TRFK
Technology	87.7%	91.8%
Industrials	5.3%	8.3%
Communication Services	3.5%	-
Utilities	1.7%	-
Real Estate	1.2%	-
Healthcare	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-

Return for Risk

ARTY vs. TRFK — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARTY

ARTY Risk / Return Rank: 90
ARTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ARTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
ARTY Omega Ratio Rank: 87
ARTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ARTY Martin Ratio Rank: 90

TRFK

TRFK Risk / Return Rank: 86
TRFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
TRFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
TRFK Omega Ratio Rank: 87
TRFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
TRFK Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

ARTY vs. TRFK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). 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.

	ARTY	TRFK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.78	3.78	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.13	4.39	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.55	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.01	5.34	+0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.88	12.82	+8.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARTY vs. TRFK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARTY Sharpe Ratio is 3.78, which is comparable to the TRFK Sharpe Ratio of 3.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARTY and TRFK, 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

	ARTY	TRFK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78	3.78	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	1.58	-0.95

Drawdowns

ARTY vs. TRFK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARTY drawdown since its inception was -54.50%, which is greater than TRFK's maximum drawdown of -29.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARTY and TRFK.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARTY	TRFK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-29.06%	-25.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.81%	-19.56%	+0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.44%	-29.06%	-3.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-0.06%	-0.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.85%	-6.04%	-13.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.40%	8.13%	-2.73%

Volatility

ARTY vs. TRFK - Volatility Comparison

iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) has a higher volatility of 12.01% compared to Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) at 9.93%. This indicates that ARTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TRFK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARTY	TRFK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.01%	9.93%	+2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.12%	21.73%	+3.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.94%	27.70%	+2.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.58%	28.91%	-0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.75%	28.91%	-1.16%

ARTY vs. TRFK - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARTY has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than TRFK's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARTY vs. TRFK - Dividend Comparison

ARTY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while TRFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ARTY iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.40%	0.20%	0.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARTY and TRFK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, ARTY and TRFK 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, ARTY or TRFK?

ARTY has higher volatility (12.01%) compared to TRFK (9.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARTY dropped -54.50% vs TRFK's -29.06%.

Which ETF is better, ARTY or TRFK?

On 3-year performance, TRFK leads with 54.15% vs 36.54% for ARTY. On fees, ARTY is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, TRFK has been the lower-risk option at 9.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARTY or TRFK?

Over the 3-year period, TRFK has performed better with a 54.15% return vs 36.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARTY or TRFK?

ARTY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for TRFK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARTY or TRFK?

TRFK has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for ARTY.

What is the main difference between ARTY and TRFK?

ARTY tracks Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while TRFK tracks Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ARTY and 0.60% for TRFK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TRFK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 vs 3.78), 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.