ILDR vs. AIS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILDR (First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF) and AIS (VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ILDR returned 47.41% vs 226.72% for AIS. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.75% expense ratio.

Performance

ILDR vs. AIS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILDR achieves a 21.58% return, which is significantly lower than AIS's 118.61% return.

ILDR

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 13.98%
• YTD: 21.58%
• 6M: 21.69%
• 1Y: 47.41%
• 3Y*: 31.44%
• 5Y*: 14.40%
• 10Y*: —

AIS

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 35.87%
• YTD: 118.61%
• 6M: 122.65%
• 1Y: 226.72%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ILDR vs. AIS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	21.58%	29.22%	-3.73%
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	118.61%	58.35%	-4.92%

Correlation

The correlation between ILDR and AIS is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2024	0.83

The correlation between ILDR and AIS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILDR vs. AIS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILDR	AIS
Technology	45.2%	84.6%
Healthcare	14.7%	-
Industrials	12.8%	8.9%
Communication Services	10.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Financial Services	3.1%	-0.0%
Energy	2.0%	-
Utilities	1.9%	3.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ILDR vs. AIS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILDR

ILDR Risk / Return Rank: 60
ILDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ILDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
ILDR Omega Ratio Rank: 60
ILDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ILDR Martin Ratio Rank: 53

AIS

AIS Risk / Return Rank: 97
AIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
AIS Omega Ratio Rank: 96
AIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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. AIS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS). 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.

	ILDR	AIS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	6.34	-4.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	5.78	-2.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.80	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	14.41	-11.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.00	47.43	-38.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILDR vs. AIS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILDR Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is lower than the AIS Sharpe Ratio of 6.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILDR and AIS, 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

	ILDR	AIS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	6.34	-4.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	3.24	-2.68

Drawdowns

ILDR vs. AIS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILDR drawdown since its inception was -44.61%, which is greater than AIS's maximum drawdown of -32.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILDR and AIS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILDR	AIS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.61%	-32.78%	-11.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.70%	-15.84%	-1.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.43%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	0.00%	-1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.98%	-5.45%	-9.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.28%	4.80%	+0.48%

Volatility

ILDR vs. AIS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) is 6.23%, while VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) has a volatility of 16.12%. This indicates that ILDR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILDR	AIS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.23%	16.12%	-9.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.21%	29.95%	-13.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.11%	36.00%	-14.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.07%	38.04%	-11.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.02%	38.04%	-12.02%

ILDR vs. AIS - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ILDR and AIS have an expense ratio of 0.75%.

Dividends

ILDR vs. AIS - Dividend Comparison

Neither ILDR nor AIS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILDR and AIS in my portfolio?

ILDR and AIS have a correlation of 0.79, 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 AIS?

AIS has higher volatility (16.12%) compared to ILDR (6.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILDR dropped -44.61% vs AIS's -32.78%.

Which ETF is better, ILDR or AIS?

On 1-year performance, AIS leads with 226.72% vs 47.41% for ILDR. Both ETFs have the same 0.75% expense ratio. On volatility, ILDR has been the lower-risk option at 6.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILDR or AIS?

Over the 1-year period, AIS has performed better with a 226.72% return vs 47.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILDR or AIS?

ILDR and AIS have the same expense ratio: 0.75% per year.

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

ILDR and AIS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ILDR and AIS?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VistaShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.34 vs 2.26), 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.