CRTC vs. AIPO

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

CRTC (Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF) and AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CRTC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Solactive Whitney U.S. Critical Technologies Index, while AIPO is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, CRTC returned 17.24% vs 46.89% for AIPO. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. CRTC charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIPO.

Performance

CRTC vs. AIPO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CRTC achieves a 9.47% return, which is significantly lower than AIPO's 33.86% return.

CRTC

• 1D: 2.36%
• 1M: 3.10%
• 6M: 7.08%
• YTD: 9.47%
• 1Y: 17.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 20.10%

AIPO

• 1D: 3.42%
• 1M: -4.58%
• 6M: 20.17%
• YTD: 33.86%
• 1Y: 46.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 45.22%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	$42.27M	$38.04M	$47.00M
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	$249.56K	$623.71K	$501.58K

CRTC vs. AIPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	9.47%	5.00%
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	33.86%	9.46%

Correlation

The correlation between CRTC and AIPO is 0.68, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2025	0.68

The correlation between CRTC and AIPO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

CRTC vs. AIPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CRTC	AIPO
Technology	39.6%	15.7%
Communication Services	14.0%	0.5%
Healthcare	13.5%	-
Industrials	13.4%	58.0%
Energy	5.8%	6.8%
Utilities	5.5%	15.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	0.7%
Basic Materials	3.0%	-
Financial Services	0.1%	2.9%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.9%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

CRTC vs. AIPO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

CRTC

CRTC Risk / Return Rank: 47
CRTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
CRTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
CRTC Omega Ratio Rank: 44
CRTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
CRTC Martin Ratio Rank: 50

AIPO

AIPO Risk / Return Rank: 50
AIPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
AIPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
AIPO Omega Ratio Rank: 47
AIPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
AIPO Martin Ratio Rank: 54

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

CRTC vs. AIPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). 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.

	CRTC	AIPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.26	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	1.74	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.22	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	1.93	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.01	6.41	-0.40

CRTC vs. AIPO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CRTC Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the AIPO Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CRTC and AIPO, 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

CRTC vs. AIPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CRTC drawdown since its inception was -19.07%, smaller than the maximum AIPO drawdown of -24.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CRTC and AIPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	CRTC	AIPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.07%	-24.36%	+5.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.05%	-24.36%	+15.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-14.84%	+14.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-5.31%	+3.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	7.33%	-4.45%

Volatility

CRTC vs. AIPO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC) is 4.30%, while Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO) has a volatility of 14.74%. This indicates that CRTC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIPO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CRTC	AIPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	14.74%	-10.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.00%	29.87%	-18.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.04%	37.61%	-23.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.82%	37.27%	-21.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.82%	37.27%	-21.45%

CRTC vs. AIPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

CRTC has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than AIPO's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

CRTC vs. AIPO - Dividend Comparison

CRTC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than AIPO's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	0.87%	1.03%	1.13%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CRTC and AIPO in my portfolio?

CRTC and AIPO have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CRTC or AIPO?

AIPO has higher volatility (14.74%) compared to CRTC (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CRTC dropped -19.07% vs AIPO's -24.36%.

Which ETF is better, CRTC or AIPO?

On 1-year performance, AIPO leads with 46.89% vs 17.24% for CRTC. On fees, CRTC is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, CRTC has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CRTC or AIPO?

Over the 1-year period, AIPO has performed better with a 46.89% return vs 17.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CRTC or AIPO?

CRTC is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIPO.

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

CRTC has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.01% for AIPO.

What is the main difference between CRTC and AIPO?

CRTC is categorized as Technology Equities, while AIPO is Artificial Intelligence. CRTC tracks Solactive Whitney U.S. Critical Technologies Index, while AIPO tracks MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for CRTC and 0.69% for AIPO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIPO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 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.