IBOT vs. BULD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBOT (VanEck Robotics ETF) and BULD (Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - IBOT tracks the BlueStar® Robotics Index while BULD tracks the BlueStar Robotics & 3D Printing Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBOT returned 23.27%/yr vs 18.64%/yr for BULD. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IBOT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for BULD.

Performance

IBOT vs. BULD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) and Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF (BULD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBOT achieves a 27.73% return, which is significantly lower than BULD's 34.29% return.

IBOT

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 8.89%
• YTD: 27.73%
• 6M: 28.82%
• 1Y: 57.26%
• 3Y*: 23.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BULD

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 14.07%
• YTD: 34.29%
• 6M: 30.65%
• 1Y: 64.78%
• 3Y*: 18.64%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IBOT vs. BULD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	27.73%	28.57%	6.39%	18.90%
BULD Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF	34.29%	23.20%	-3.93%	14.21%

Correlation

The correlation between IBOT and BULD is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2023	0.89

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

Return for Risk

IBOT vs. BULD — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBOT

IBOT Risk / Return Rank: 74
IBOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
IBOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IBOT Omega Ratio Rank: 72
IBOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
IBOT Martin Ratio Rank: 74

BULD

BULD Risk / Return Rank: 71
BULD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
BULD Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
BULD Omega Ratio Rank: 61
BULD Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
BULD Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

IBOT vs. BULD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) and Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF (BULD). 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.

	IBOT	BULD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.34	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.17	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.37	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	4.21	-0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.10	13.30	+0.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBOT vs. BULD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBOT Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the BULD Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBOT and BULD, 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

	IBOT	BULD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.34	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.19	0.55	+0.63

Drawdowns

IBOT vs. BULD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBOT drawdown since its inception was -25.39%, smaller than the maximum BULD drawdown of -27.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBOT and BULD.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBOT	BULD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.39%	-27.64%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.74%	-15.48%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	-27.64%	+2.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.38%	+0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.04%	-8.30%	+3.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.07%	4.88%	-0.81%

Volatility

IBOT vs. BULD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) is 7.25%, while Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF (BULD) has a volatility of 8.50%. This indicates that IBOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BULD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBOT	BULD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.25%	8.50%	-1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.59%	21.34%	-3.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.86%	27.85%	-5.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.09%	27.73%	-5.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.09%	27.73%	-5.64%

IBOT vs. BULD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBOT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than BULD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBOT vs. BULD - Dividend Comparison

IBOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than BULD's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BULD Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF	0.92%	1.24%	0.18%	0.21%	0.08%
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	0.30%	0.38%	2.81%	2.06%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBOT and BULD in my portfolio?

IBOT and BULD 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, IBOT or BULD?

BULD has higher volatility (8.50%) compared to IBOT (7.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBOT dropped -25.39% vs BULD's -27.64%.

Which ETF is better, IBOT or BULD?

On 3-year performance, IBOT leads with 23.27% vs 18.64% for BULD. On fees, IBOT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, IBOT has been the lower-risk option at 7.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBOT or BULD?

Over the 3-year period, IBOT has performed better with a 23.27% return vs 18.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBOT or BULD?

IBOT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for BULD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBOT or BULD?

BULD has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.30% for IBOT.

What is the main difference between IBOT and BULD?

IBOT tracks BlueStar® Robotics Index, while BULD tracks BlueStar Robotics & 3D Printing Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBOT and 0.60% for BULD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.34), 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.