IBOT vs. IRBO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IBOT (VanEck Robotics ETF) and IRBO (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBOT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar® Robotics Index, while IRBO is a Robotics fund tracking the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBOT returned 22.31%/yr vs 33.04%/yr for IRBO. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.47% expense ratio.

Performance

IBOT vs. IRBO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) and iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBOT achieves a 24.93% return, which is significantly lower than IRBO's 54.55% return.

IBOT

• 1D: -4.75%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 24.93%
• 6M: 24.39%
• 1Y: 50.48%
• 3Y*: 22.31%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IRBO

• 1D: -6.30%
• 1M: 8.26%
• YTD: 54.55%
• 6M: 54.11%
• 1Y: 93.11%
• 3Y*: 33.04%
• 5Y*: 11.69%
• 10Y*: —

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

IBOT vs. IRBO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	24.93%	28.57%	6.39%	19.46%
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	54.55%	29.97%	8.02%	15.02%

Correlation

The correlation between IBOT and IRBO is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2023	0.82

The correlation between IBOT and IRBO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

IBOT vs. IRBO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBOT	IRBO
Technology	51.6%	83.8%
Industrials	43.3%	4.7%
Energy	2.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.2%	2.9%
Healthcare	0.7%	0.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	5.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	1.2%
Utilities	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

IBOT vs. IRBO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBOT

IBOT Risk / Return Rank: 66
IBOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
IBOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
IBOT Omega Ratio Rank: 64
IBOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
IBOT Martin Ratio Rank: 69

IRBO

IRBO Risk / Return Rank: 81
IRBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
IRBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
IRBO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IRBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IRBO Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. IRBO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) and iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO). 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.

	IBOT	IRBO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.74	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	3.07	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.42	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	4.98	-1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.22	16.28	-4.06

IBOT vs. IRBO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBOT Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the IRBO Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBOT and IRBO, 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

IBOT vs. IRBO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBOT drawdown since its inception was -25.39%, smaller than the maximum IRBO drawdown of -54.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBOT and IRBO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBOT	IRBO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.39%	-54.50%	+29.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.74%	-18.81%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	-32.44%	+7.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-50.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.75%	-7.78%	+3.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-19.76%	+14.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	5.74%	-1.60%

Volatility

IBOT vs. IRBO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) is 10.69%, while iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) has a volatility of 19.32%. This indicates that IBOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IRBO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBOT	IRBO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.69%	19.32%	-8.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.76%	30.00%	-10.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.70%	34.22%	-10.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.58%	29.57%	-6.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.58%	28.30%	-5.72%

IBOT vs. IRBO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IBOT and IRBO have an expense ratio of 0.47%.

Dividends

IBOT vs. IRBO - Dividend Comparison

IBOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, more than IRBO's 0.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	0.30%	0.38%	2.81%	2.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	0.06%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBOT and IRBO in my portfolio?

IBOT and IRBO have a correlation of 0.80, 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 IRBO?

IRBO has higher volatility (19.32%) compared to IBOT (10.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBOT dropped -25.39% vs IRBO's -54.50%.

Which ETF is better, IBOT or IRBO?

On 3-year performance, IRBO leads with 33.04% vs 22.31% for IBOT. Both ETFs have the same 0.47% expense ratio. On volatility, IBOT has been the lower-risk option at 10.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBOT or IRBO?

Over the 3-year period, IRBO has performed better with a 33.04% return vs 22.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBOT or IRBO?

IBOT and IRBO have the same expense ratio: 0.47% per year.

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

IBOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.30%, compared with 0.06% for IRBO.

What is the main difference between IBOT and IRBO?

IBOT is categorized as Technology Equities, while IRBO is Robotics. IBOT tracks BlueStar® Robotics Index, while IRBO tracks Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 2.14), 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.