BILT vs. FAI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BILT (iShares Infrastructure Active ETF) and FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BILT is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while FAI is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index. BILT is actively managed, while FAI is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. BILT charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FAI.

Performance

BILT vs. FAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BILT achieves a 13.47% return, which is significantly lower than FAI's 34.05% return.

BILT

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -0.78%
• YTD: 13.47%
• 6M: 13.63%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FAI

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 7.16%
• YTD: 34.05%
• 6M: 33.89%
• 1Y: 66.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BILT vs. FAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	13.47%	4.16%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	34.05%	10.73%

Correlation

The correlation between BILT and FAI is -0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	-0.05

Return for Risk

BILT vs. FAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

BILT

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 70
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
FAI Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

BILT vs. FAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). 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.

	BILT	FAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.47	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.97	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.40	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.53	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.01	—

Drawdowns

BILT vs. FAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BILT drawdown since its inception was -5.38%, smaller than the maximum FAI drawdown of -27.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BILT and FAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BILT	FAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.38%	-27.82%	+22.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-18.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	-4.79%	+3.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.44%	-5.36%	+3.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	6.03%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BILT	FAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	13.67%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	22.18%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.28%	27.02%	-16.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.28%	30.90%	-20.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.28%	30.90%	-20.62%

BILT vs. FAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BILT has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FAI's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

BILT vs. FAI - Dividend Comparison

BILT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.74%, while FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	5.74%	0.99%	0.00%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BILT and FAI in my portfolio?

BILT and FAI have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BILT or FAI?

On fees, BILT is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BILT or FAI?

BILT is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BILT or FAI?

BILT has the higher dividend yield at 5.74%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.

What is the main difference between BILT and FAI?

BILT is categorized as Utilities Equities, while FAI is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for BILT and 0.65% for FAI.