IRBO vs. AIFD

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

IRBO (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) and AIFD (TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds. IRBO is passively managed, while AIFD is actively managed. Over the past year, IRBO returned 63.16% vs 61.19% for AIFD. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IRBO charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for AIFD.

Performance

IRBO vs. AIFD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IRBO achieves a 43.11% return, which is significantly higher than AIFD's 34.94% return.

IRBO

• 1D: 3.39%
• 1M: -3.07%
• 6M: 32.62%
• YTD: 43.11%
• 1Y: 63.16%
• 3Y*: 28.37%
• 5Y*: 10.52%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.10%

AIFD

• 1D: 3.45%
• 1M: -1.75%
• 6M: 30.89%
• YTD: 34.94%
• 1Y: 61.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 36.07%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AIFD TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF	$659.85K	$728.46K	$1.17M
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	$35.64M	$36.90M	$59.33M

IRBO vs. AIFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	43.11%	29.97%	11.88%
AIFD TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF	34.94%	28.30%	15.22%

Correlation

The correlation between IRBO and AIFD is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2024	0.91

The correlation between IRBO and AIFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

IRBO vs. AIFD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IRBO	AIFD
Technology	83.8%	73.7%
Communication Services	5.5%	7.0%
Industrials	4.7%	10.0%
Utilities	3.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.9%	5.2%
Real Estate	1.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-

Return for Risk

IRBO vs. AIFD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IRBO

IRBO Risk / Return Rank: 69
IRBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
IRBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IRBO Omega Ratio Rank: 65
IRBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
IRBO Martin Ratio Rank: 68

AIFD

AIFD Risk / Return Rank: 79
AIFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
AIFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
AIFD Omega Ratio Rank: 73
AIFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AIFD Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IRBO vs. AIFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) and TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF (AIFD). 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.

	IRBO	AIFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.02	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	2.53	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.32	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	3.04	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.49	12.31	-3.82

IRBO vs. AIFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRBO Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the AIFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRBO and AIFD, 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

IRBO vs. AIFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRBO drawdown since its inception was -54.50%, which is greater than AIFD's maximum drawdown of -33.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRBO and AIFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRBO	AIFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-33.20%	-21.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.00%	-20.22%	-3.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.44%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.61%	-11.49%	-3.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.68%	-5.99%	-13.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.46%	4.99%	+2.47%

Volatility

IRBO vs. AIFD - Volatility Comparison

iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) has a higher volatility of 14.41% compared to TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF (AIFD) at 11.65%. This indicates that IRBO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AIFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRBO	AIFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.41%	11.65%	+2.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.09%	25.22%	+7.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.42%	30.48%	+6.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.34%	30.63%	-0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.65%	30.63%	-1.98%

IRBO vs. AIFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRBO has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than AIFD's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

IRBO vs. AIFD - Dividend Comparison

IRBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.06%, while AIFD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AIFD TCW Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 IRBO and AIFD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, IRBO and AIFD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IRBO or AIFD?

IRBO has higher volatility (14.41%) compared to AIFD (11.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRBO dropped -54.50% vs AIFD's -33.20%.

Which ETF is better, IRBO or AIFD?

On 1-year performance, IRBO leads with 63.16% vs 61.19% for AIFD. On fees, IRBO is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, AIFD has been the lower-risk option at 11.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IRBO or AIFD?

Over the 1-year period, IRBO has performed better with a 63.16% return vs 61.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IRBO or AIFD?

IRBO is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AIFD.

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

IRBO has the higher dividend yield at 0.06%, compared with 0.00% for AIFD.

What is the main difference between IRBO and AIFD?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and TCW. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IRBO and 0.75% for AIFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.70), 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.