IBOT vs. UGA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IBOT (VanEck Robotics ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - IBOT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar® Robotics Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBOT returned 22.31%/yr vs 18.95%/yr for UGA. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. IBOT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.

Performance

IBOT vs. UGA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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 UGA's 64.09% return.

IBOT

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

UGA

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -12.11%
• YTD: 64.09%
• 6M: 60.42%
• 1Y: 59.74%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 22.69%
• 10Y*: 14.31%

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

IBOT vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	24.93%	28.57%	6.39%	19.46%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	64.09%	-2.00%	3.77%	-5.03%

Correlation

The correlation between IBOT and UGA is -0.25, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2023	-0.05

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between IBOT and UGA has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.05 to -0.25, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

IBOT vs. UGA — 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

UGA

UGA Risk / Return Rank: 55
UGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
UGA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
UGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
UGA Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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	UGA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.73	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	2.25	+0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.30	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	3.17	-0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.22	9.39	+2.83

IBOT vs. UGA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBOT Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the UGA Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBOT and UGA, 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. UGA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBOT drawdown since its inception was -25.39%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBOT and UGA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBOT	UGA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.39%	-86.59%	+61.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.74%	-18.96%	+2.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	-26.68%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.75%	-18.05%	+13.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-36.69%	+31.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	6.43%	-2.29%

Volatility

IBOT vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) has a higher volatility of 10.69% compared to United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) at 9.24%. This indicates that IBOT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBOT	UGA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.69%	9.24%	+1.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.76%	30.57%	-10.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.70%	35.22%	-11.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.58%	34.45%	-11.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.58%	37.22%	-14.64%

IBOT vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBOT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBOT vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison

IBOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	0.30%	0.38%	2.81%	2.06%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBOT and UGA in my portfolio?

IBOT and UGA have a correlation of -0.25, 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 UGA?

IBOT has higher volatility (10.69%) compared to UGA (9.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBOT dropped -25.39% vs UGA's -86.59%.

Which ETF is better, IBOT or UGA?

On 3-year performance, IBOT leads with 22.31% vs 18.95% for UGA. On fees, IBOT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, UGA has been the lower-risk option at 9.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBOT or UGA?

Over the 3-year period, IBOT has performed better with a 22.31% return vs 18.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBOT or UGA?

IBOT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for UGA.

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

IBOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.30%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.

What is the main difference between IBOT and UGA?

IBOT is categorized as Technology Equities, while UGA is Oil & Gas. IBOT tracks BlueStar® Robotics Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBOT and 0.75% for UGA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.73), 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.