IRBO vs. SPRX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO) and Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX).

IRBO and SPRX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IRBO is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the NYSE FactSet Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Index. It was launched on Jun 26, 2018. SPRX is an actively managed fund by Spear. It was launched on Aug 3, 2021.

Performance

IRBO vs. SPRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO) and Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

IRBO vs. SPRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IRBO iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF	-1.22%	29.97%	8.02%	36.37%	-37.89%	-3.11%
SPRX Spear Alpha ETF	-5.51%	41.91%	20.58%	88.02%	-44.99%	8.91%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IRBO achieves a -1.22% return, which is significantly higher than SPRX's -5.51% return.

IRBO

• 1D: 2.28%
• 1M: -5.95%
• YTD: -1.22%
• 6M: 2.12%
• 1Y: 49.61%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 2.49%
• 10Y*: —

SPRX

• 1D: 2.20%
• 1M: -9.54%
• YTD: -5.51%
• 6M: -7.15%
• 1Y: 79.83%
• 3Y*: 34.31%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IRBO vs. SPRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

SPRX

Spear Alpha ETF

IRBO

iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF

Return for Risk

IRBO vs. SPRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IRBO

IRBO Risk / Return Rank: 80
IRBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
IRBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
IRBO Omega Ratio Rank: 74
IRBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
IRBO Martin Ratio Rank: 81

SPRX

SPRX Risk / Return Rank: 84
SPRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
SPRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
SPRX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SPRX 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.

IRBO vs. SPRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO) and Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX). 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.

	IRBO	SPRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	1.68	-0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.23	-0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	3.45	-0.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.31	10.84	-1.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IRBO vs. SPRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRBO Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is comparable to the SPRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRBO and SPRX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IRBO	SPRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	1.68	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.33	+0.05

Correlation

The correlation between IRBO and SPRX is 0.87, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

IRBO vs. SPRX - Dividend Comparison

Neither IRBO nor SPRX has paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IRBO iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%
SPRX Spear Alpha ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

IRBO vs. SPRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRBO drawdown since its inception was -54.50%, which is greater than SPRX's maximum drawdown of -51.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRBO and SPRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRBO	SPRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-51.21%	-3.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.81%	-24.21%	+5.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.58%	-16.81%	+4.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.24%	-18.18%	-2.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.51%	7.70%	-2.19%

Volatility

IRBO vs. SPRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO) is 12.53%, while Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX) has a volatility of 17.68%. This indicates that IRBO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRBO	SPRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.53%	17.68%	-5.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.30%	35.67%	-12.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.61%	47.73%	-15.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.89%	41.57%	-13.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.42%	41.57%	-14.15%