FAI vs. ALAI

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) and ALAI (Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds. FAI is passively managed, while ALAI is actively managed. Over the past year, FAI returned 48.02% vs 40.57% for ALAI. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FAI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ALAI.

Performance

FAI vs. ALAI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAI achieves a 32.45% return, which is significantly higher than ALAI's 25.73% return.

FAI

• 1D: 4.39%
• 1M: 5.49%
• 6M: 34.12%
• YTD: 32.45%
• 1Y: 48.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 41.61%

ALAI

• 1D: 2.53%
• 1M: 4.20%
• 6M: 28.25%
• YTD: 25.73%
• 1Y: 40.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 43.69%

*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)
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	$2.65M	$4.25M	$4.09M
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	$1.29M	$2.80M	$3.60M

FAI vs. ALAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	32.45%	33.37%	2.28%
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	25.73%	39.81%	1.40%

Correlation

The correlation between FAI and ALAI is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2024	0.90

The correlation between FAI and ALAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FAI vs. ALAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 56
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FAI Martin Ratio Rank: 50

ALAI

ALAI Risk / Return Rank: 51
ALAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
ALAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
ALAI Omega Ratio Rank: 48
ALAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
ALAI Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

FAI vs. ALAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) and Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI). 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	ALAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.48	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	2.08	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.25	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	2.09	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.64	6.17	+0.47

FAI vs. ALAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAI Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the ALAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAI and ALAI, 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. ALAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAI drawdown since its inception was -27.82%, smaller than the maximum ALAI drawdown of -29.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAI and ALAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAI	ALAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.82%	-29.36%	+1.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.84%	-19.48%	+0.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.92%	-2.89%	-3.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.78%	-5.17%	-0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.26%	6.59%	+0.67%

Volatility

FAI vs. ALAI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) has a higher volatility of 10.83% compared to Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) at 10.31%. This indicates that FAI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ALAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAI	ALAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.83%	10.31%	+0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.10%	22.61%	+2.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.50%	27.60%	+1.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.48%	29.17%	+2.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.48%	29.17%	+2.31%

FAI vs. ALAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ALAI's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAI vs. ALAI - Dividend Comparison

FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ALAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	1.19%	1.50%	0.66%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAI and ALAI in my portfolio?

FAI and ALAI have a correlation of 0.89, 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 ALAI?

FAI has higher volatility (10.83%) compared to ALAI (10.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAI dropped -27.82% vs ALAI's -29.36%.

Which ETF is better, FAI or ALAI?

On 1-year performance, FAI leads with 48.02% vs 40.57% for ALAI. On fees, ALAI is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, ALAI has been the lower-risk option at 10.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAI or ALAI?

Over the 1-year period, FAI has performed better with a 48.02% return vs 40.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAI or ALAI?

ALAI is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FAI.

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

ALAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.19%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.

What is the main difference between FAI and ALAI?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Alger. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FAI and 0.55% for ALAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 1.48), 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.