IRBO vs. STLG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IRBO (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) and STLG (iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IRBO is a Robotics fund tracking the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while STLG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell US Large Cap Factors Growth Style Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IRBO returned 11.69%/yr vs 18.36%/yr for STLG. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IRBO charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for STLG.

Performance

IRBO vs. STLG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IRBO achieves a 54.55% return, which is significantly higher than STLG's 16.17% return.

IRBO

• 1D: -6.30%
• 1M: 8.26%
• YTD: 54.55%
• 6M: 54.11%
• 1Y: 93.11%
• 3Y*: 33.04%
• 5Y*: 11.69%
• 10Y*: —

STLG

• 1D: -2.76%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 16.17%
• 6M: 14.60%
• 1Y: 36.49%
• 3Y*: 30.82%
• 5Y*: 18.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

IRBO vs. STLG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	54.55%	29.97%	8.02%	36.37%	-37.89%	6.32%	41.45%
STLG iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF	16.17%	21.49%	37.42%	42.86%	-26.75%	27.99%	26.51%

Correlation

The correlation between IRBO and STLG is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 16, 2020	0.83

The correlation between IRBO and STLG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

IRBO vs. STLG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IRBO	STLG
Technology	83.8%	54.2%
Communication Services	5.5%	6.3%
Industrials	4.7%	5.7%
Utilities	3.2%	1.6%
Consumer Cyclical	2.9%	16.7%
Real Estate	1.2%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	3.0%
Healthcare	0.0%	8.8%
Basic Materials	-	0.2%
Energy	-	1.1%
Financial Services	-	2.2%

Return for Risk

IRBO vs. STLG — Risk / Return Rank

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

IRBO

IRBO Risk / Return Rank: 81
IRBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
IRBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
IRBO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IRBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IRBO Martin Ratio Rank: 83

STLG

STLG Risk / Return Rank: 58
STLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
STLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
STLG Omega Ratio Rank: 56
STLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
STLG Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. STLG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) and iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF (STLG). 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	STLG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	1.91	+0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	2.51	+0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.33	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.98	2.68	+2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.28	10.39	+5.89

IRBO vs. STLG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRBO Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is higher than the STLG Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRBO and STLG, 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. STLG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRBO drawdown since its inception was -54.50%, which is greater than STLG's maximum drawdown of -31.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRBO and STLG.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRBO	STLG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-31.34%	-23.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.81%	-13.69%	-5.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.44%	-23.73%	-8.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.53%	-30.61%	-19.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.78%	-4.93%	-2.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.76%	-7.33%	-12.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.74%	3.52%	+2.22%

Volatility

IRBO vs. STLG - Volatility Comparison

iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) has a higher volatility of 19.32% compared to iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF (STLG) at 8.62%. This indicates that IRBO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than STLG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRBO	STLG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.32%	8.62%	+10.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.00%	15.52%	+14.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.22%	19.23%	+14.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.57%	22.22%	+7.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.30%	23.98%	+4.32%

IRBO vs. STLG - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRBO has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than STLG's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

IRBO vs. STLG - Dividend Comparison

IRBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.06%, less than STLG's 0.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	0.06%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%
STLG iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF	0.27%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IRBO and STLG in my portfolio?

IRBO and STLG have a correlation of 0.88, 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 STLG?

IRBO has higher volatility (19.32%) compared to STLG (8.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRBO dropped -54.50% vs STLG's -31.34%.

Which ETF is better, IRBO or STLG?

On 5-year performance, STLG leads with 18.36% vs 11.69% for IRBO. On fees, STLG is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, STLG has been the lower-risk option at 8.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IRBO or STLG?

Over the 5-year period, STLG has performed better with a 18.36% return vs 11.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IRBO or STLG?

STLG is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IRBO.

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

STLG has the higher dividend yield at 0.27%, compared with 0.06% for IRBO.

What is the main difference between IRBO and STLG?

IRBO is categorized as Robotics, while STLG is Large Cap Growth Equities. IRBO tracks Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while STLG tracks Russell US Large Cap Factors Growth Style Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IRBO and 0.25% for STLG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 1.91), 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.