FAI vs. AIS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) and AIS (VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. FAI is passively managed, while AIS is actively managed. Over the past year, FAI returned 56.66% vs 204.96% for AIS. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FAI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for AIS.

Performance

FAI vs. AIS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAI achieves a 27.58% return, which is significantly lower than AIS's 113.37% return.

FAI

• 1D: -4.82%
• 1M: 1.99%
• YTD: 27.58%
• 6M: 26.62%
• 1Y: 56.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AIS

• 1D: -8.85%
• 1M: 12.86%
• YTD: 113.37%
• 6M: 114.50%
• 1Y: 204.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FAI vs. AIS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	27.58%	33.37%	0.29%
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	113.37%	58.35%	-4.74%

Correlation

The correlation between FAI and AIS 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.86

The correlation between FAI and AIS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FAI vs. AIS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 64
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 63
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
FAI Martin Ratio Rank: 58

AIS

AIS Risk / Return Rank: 96
AIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
AIS Omega Ratio Rank: 94
AIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

FAI vs. AIS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS). 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.

	FAI	AIS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	4.96	-2.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	4.50	-1.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.65	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	13.02	-10.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.38	39.90	-30.52

FAI vs. AIS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAI Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is lower than the AIS Sharpe Ratio of 4.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAI and AIS, 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

FAI vs. AIS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAI drawdown since its inception was -27.82%, smaller than the maximum AIS drawdown of -32.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAI and AIS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAI	AIS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.82%	-32.78%	+4.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.84%	-15.84%	-3.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.38%	-8.85%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.37%	-5.48%	+0.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.06%	5.16%	+0.90%

Volatility

FAI vs. AIS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) is 14.67%, while VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) has a volatility of 23.82%. This indicates that FAI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAI	AIS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.67%	23.82%	-9.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.72%	36.25%	-13.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.43%	41.61%	-14.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.12%	41.09%	-9.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.12%	41.09%	-9.97%

FAI vs. AIS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than AIS's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAI vs. AIS - Dividend Comparison

Neither FAI nor AIS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAI and AIS in my portfolio?

FAI and AIS 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, FAI or AIS?

AIS has higher volatility (23.82%) compared to FAI (14.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAI dropped -27.82% vs AIS's -32.78%.

Which ETF is better, FAI or AIS?

On 1-year performance, AIS leads with 204.96% vs 56.66% for FAI. On fees, FAI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FAI has been the lower-risk option at 14.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAI or AIS?

Over the 1-year period, AIS has performed better with a 204.96% return vs 56.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAI or AIS?

FAI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AIS.

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

FAI and AIS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FAI and AIS?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VistaShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FAI and 0.75% for AIS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.96 vs 2.08), 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.