IRBO vs. IBOT

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IRBO (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) and IBOT (VanEck Robotics ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IRBO is a Robotics fund tracking the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while IBOT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar® Robotics Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IRBO returned 35.95%/yr vs 24.31%/yr for IBOT. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.47% expense ratio.

Performance

IRBO vs. IBOT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IRBO achieves a 64.94% return, which is significantly higher than IBOT's 31.16% return.

IRBO

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 15.54%
• YTD: 64.94%
• 6M: 64.94%
• 1Y: 106.73%
• 3Y*: 35.95%
• 5Y*: 13.47%
• 10Y*: —

IBOT

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 4.71%
• YTD: 31.16%
• 6M: 31.10%
• 1Y: 59.36%
• 3Y*: 24.31%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IRBO vs. IBOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	64.94%	29.97%	8.02%	15.02%
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	31.16%	28.57%	6.39%	19.46%

Correlation

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

IRBO vs. IBOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

IRBO vs. IBOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IRBO

IRBO Risk / Return Rank: 88
IRBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
IRBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
IRBO Omega Ratio Rank: 83
IRBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
IRBO Martin Ratio Rank: 89

IBOT

IBOT Risk / Return Rank: 78
IBOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
IBOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
IBOT Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IBOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
IBOT Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

IRBO vs. IBOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) and VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT). 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	IBOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.20	2.57	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.48	3.32	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.43	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.71	3.56	+2.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.73	14.42	+4.32

IRBO vs. IBOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRBO Sharpe Ratio is 3.20, which is comparable to the IBOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRBO and IBOT, 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. IBOT - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	IRBO	IBOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-25.39%	-29.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.81%	-16.74%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.44%	-25.39%	-7.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	0.00%	-1.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.77%	-4.99%	-14.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.72%	4.13%	+1.59%

Volatility

IRBO vs. IBOT - Volatility Comparison

iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) has a higher volatility of 17.99% compared to VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) at 9.35%. This indicates that IRBO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRBO	IBOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.99%	9.35%	+8.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.22%	19.11%	+10.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.64%	23.22%	+10.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.43%	22.43%	+7.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.21%	22.43%	+5.78%

IRBO vs. IBOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IRBO vs. IBOT - Dividend Comparison

IRBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.05%, less than IBOT's 0.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	0.29%	0.38%	2.81%	2.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	0.05%	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 IBOT in my portfolio?

IRBO and IBOT 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, IRBO or IBOT?

IRBO has higher volatility (17.99%) compared to IBOT (9.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRBO dropped -54.50% vs IBOT's -25.39%.

Which ETF is better, IRBO or IBOT?

On 3-year performance, IRBO leads with 35.95% vs 24.31% for IBOT. Both ETFs have the same 0.47% expense ratio. On volatility, IBOT has been the lower-risk option at 9.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IRBO or IBOT?

Over the 3-year period, IRBO has performed better with a 35.95% return vs 24.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IRBO or IBOT?

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

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

IBOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.29%, compared with 0.05% for IRBO.

What is the main difference between IRBO and IBOT?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 2.57), 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.