ILDR vs. AIRR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ILDR (First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF) and AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILDR is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index. ILDR is actively managed, while AIRR is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ILDR returned 11.51%/yr vs 25.97%/yr for AIRR. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ILDR charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIRR.

Performance

ILDR vs. AIRR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILDR achieves a 14.03% return, which is significantly lower than AIRR's 31.81% return.

ILDR

• 1D: -2.72%
• 1M: -0.24%
• YTD: 14.03%
• 6M: 12.50%
• 1Y: 34.64%
• 3Y*: 28.32%
• 5Y*: 11.51%
• 10Y*: —

AIRR

• 1D: -2.80%
• 1M: 3.57%
• YTD: 31.81%
• 6M: 27.48%
• 1Y: 63.63%
• 3Y*: 36.68%
• 5Y*: 25.97%
• 10Y*: 22.05%

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

ILDR vs. AIRR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	14.03%	29.22%	29.31%	39.34%	-34.95%	7.57%
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	31.81%	27.92%	33.45%	31.43%	-2.08%	11.35%

Correlation

The correlation between ILDR and AIRR is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2021	0.66

The correlation between ILDR and AIRR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILDR vs. AIRR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILDR	AIRR
Technology	49.8%	0.7%
Healthcare	13.4%	-
Industrials	12.4%	92.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	-
Communication Services	9.1%	-
Financial Services	2.9%	6.9%
Energy	1.6%	3.8%
Utilities	1.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ILDR vs. AIRR — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILDR

ILDR Risk / Return Rank: 43
ILDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
ILDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
ILDR Omega Ratio Rank: 42
ILDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
ILDR Martin Ratio Rank: 42

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 79
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 67
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
AIRR Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

ILDR vs. AIRR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). 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.

	ILDR	AIRR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	2.43	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	3.13	-1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.38	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	4.89	-2.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.37	17.83	-11.47

ILDR vs. AIRR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILDR Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the AIRR Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILDR and AIRR, 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

ILDR vs. AIRR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILDR drawdown since its inception was -44.61%, which is greater than AIRR's maximum drawdown of -42.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILDR and AIRR.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILDR	AIRR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.61%	-42.37%	-2.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.70%	-13.09%	-4.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.43%	-27.95%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.61%	-27.95%	-16.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.20%	-2.80%	-4.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.87%	-7.47%	-7.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.46%	3.58%	+1.88%

Volatility

ILDR vs. AIRR - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) has a higher volatility of 10.87% compared to First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) at 8.80%. This indicates that ILDR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AIRR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILDR	AIRR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.87%	8.80%	+2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.42%	20.63%	-2.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.16%	26.40%	-3.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.41%	25.45%	+0.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.24%	26.33%	-0.09%

ILDR vs. AIRR - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILDR has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than AIRR's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILDR vs. AIRR - Dividend Comparison

ILDR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AIRR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.13%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILDR and AIRR in my portfolio?

ILDR and AIRR have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILDR or AIRR?

ILDR has higher volatility (10.87%) compared to AIRR (8.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILDR dropped -44.61% vs AIRR's -42.37%.

Which ETF is better, ILDR or AIRR?

On 5-year performance, AIRR leads with 25.97% vs 11.51% for ILDR. On fees, AIRR is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, AIRR has been the lower-risk option at 8.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILDR or AIRR?

Over the 5-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 25.97% return vs 11.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILDR or AIRR?

AIRR is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ILDR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ILDR or AIRR?

AIRR has the higher dividend yield at 0.13%, compared with 0.00% for ILDR.

What is the main difference between ILDR and AIRR?

ILDR is categorized as Technology Equities, while AIRR is Building & Construction. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ILDR and 0.69% for AIRR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.50), 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.