EXI vs. RBLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EXI (iShares Global Industrials ETF) and RBLD (First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - EXI tracks the S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC while RBLD tracks the Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EXI returned 12.43%/yr vs 8.40%/yr for RBLD. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EXI charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for RBLD.

Performance

EXI vs. RBLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) and First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EXI achieves a 10.88% return, which is significantly lower than RBLD's 19.89% return. Over the past 10 years, EXI has outperformed RBLD with an annualized return of 12.43%, while RBLD has yielded a comparatively lower 8.40% annualized return.

EXI

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 10.88%
• 6M: 13.08%
• 1Y: 22.09%
• 3Y*: 20.74%
• 5Y*: 11.17%
• 10Y*: 12.43%

RBLD

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 19.89%
• 6M: 18.51%
• 1Y: 28.68%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 10.76%
• 10Y*: 8.40%

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

EXI vs. RBLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EXI iShares Global Industrials ETF	10.88%	25.88%	12.47%	22.04%	-12.36%	17.37%	11.33%	27.13%	-14.41%	25.16%
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	19.89%	13.99%	17.94%	19.36%	-9.87%	12.98%	0.51%	12.81%	-21.72%	22.95%

Correlation

The correlation between EXI and RBLD is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2008	0.81

The correlation between EXI and RBLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

EXI vs. RBLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EXI	RBLD
Industrials	92.8%	41.6%
Utilities	2.9%	28.6%
Technology	2.7%	9.2%
Communication Services	0.6%	1.0%
Consumer Cyclical	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	0.2%	6.2%
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	-
Energy	-	9.3%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	5.0%

Return for Risk

EXI vs. RBLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

EXI

EXI Risk / Return Rank: 40
EXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
EXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
EXI Omega Ratio Rank: 39
EXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
EXI Martin Ratio Rank: 44

RBLD

RBLD Risk / Return Rank: 68
RBLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
RBLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
RBLD Omega Ratio Rank: 61
RBLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
RBLD Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

EXI vs. RBLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) and First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD). 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.

	EXI	RBLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.15	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	2.93	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.37	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.80	4.01	-2.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.30	13.80	-6.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EXI vs. RBLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EXI Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the RBLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EXI and RBLD, 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

	EXI	RBLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.15	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.64	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.45	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.38	+0.04

Drawdowns

EXI vs. RBLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EXI drawdown since its inception was -62.60%, which is greater than RBLD's maximum drawdown of -50.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EXI and RBLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	EXI	RBLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.60%	-50.07%	-12.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.35%	-7.19%	-5.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.38%	-19.14%	+4.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.23%	-23.71%	-3.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.56%	-50.07%	+10.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.16%	-0.71%	-2.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.97%	-10.84%	+0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	2.08%	+0.95%

Volatility

EXI vs. RBLD - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) has a higher volatility of 5.33% compared to First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) at 4.27%. This indicates that EXI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RBLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EXI	RBLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.33%	4.27%	+1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.42%	10.39%	+3.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.92%	13.45%	+2.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.99%	16.82%	+0.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	18.73%	-0.32%

EXI vs. RBLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

EXI has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is lower than RBLD's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

EXI vs. RBLD - Dividend Comparison

EXI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, more than RBLD's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EXI iShares Global Industrials ETF	1.19%	1.32%	1.47%	1.84%	1.63%	1.42%	1.26%	1.72%	2.21%	1.48%	1.75%	1.95%
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	1.01%	1.19%	1.31%	1.16%	2.10%	1.45%	2.88%	1.84%	1.74%	1.49%	2.01%	1.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EXI and RBLD in my portfolio?

EXI and RBLD have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EXI or RBLD?

EXI has higher volatility (5.33%) compared to RBLD (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EXI dropped -62.60% vs RBLD's -50.07%.

Which ETF is better, EXI or RBLD?

On 10-year performance, EXI leads with 12.43% vs 8.40% for RBLD. On fees, EXI is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, RBLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EXI or RBLD?

Over the 10-year period, EXI has performed better with a 12.43% return vs 8.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EXI or RBLD?

EXI is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for RBLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EXI or RBLD?

EXI has the higher dividend yield at 1.19%, compared with 1.01% for RBLD.

What is the main difference between EXI and RBLD?

EXI tracks S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC, while RBLD tracks Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for EXI and 0.65% for RBLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.39), 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.