IRBO vs. UBOT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IRBO (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) and UBOT (Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares) are both Robotics funds - IRBO tracks the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index while UBOT tracks the Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IRBO returned 11.69%/yr vs -10.30%/yr for UBOT. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IRBO charges 0.47%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for UBOT.

Performance

IRBO vs. UBOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) and Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT). 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 UBOT's -4.79% return.

IRBO

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

UBOT

• 1D: -8.96%
• 1M: -18.60%
• YTD: -4.79%
• 6M: -6.50%
• 1Y: 26.83%
• 3Y*: 6.04%
• 5Y*: -10.30%
• 10Y*: —

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

IRBO vs. UBOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	54.55%	29.97%	8.02%	36.37%	-37.89%	6.32%	48.85%	34.47%	-13.76%
UBOT Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares	-4.79%	13.42%	12.02%	72.59%	-72.45%	9.78%	80.13%	87.34%	-60.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IRBO and UBOT is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2018	0.84

The correlation between IRBO and UBOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

IRBO vs. UBOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IRBO	UBOT
Technology	83.8%	30.8%
Communication Services	5.5%	4.4%
Industrials	4.7%	50.3%
Utilities	3.2%	0.0%
Consumer Cyclical	2.9%	6.4%
Real Estate	1.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	0.0%
Healthcare	0.0%	8.0%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Energy	-	0.5%
Financial Services	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

IRBO vs. UBOT — 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

UBOT

UBOT Risk / Return Rank: 19
UBOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
UBOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
UBOT Omega Ratio Rank: 19
UBOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
UBOT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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. UBOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) and Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT). 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	UBOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	0.53	+2.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	1.07	+2.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.13	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.98	0.75	+4.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.28	2.24	+14.04

IRBO vs. UBOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRBO Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is higher than the UBOT Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRBO and UBOT, 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. UBOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRBO drawdown since its inception was -54.50%, smaller than the maximum UBOT drawdown of -86.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRBO and UBOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRBO	UBOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-86.24%	+31.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.81%	-35.90%	+17.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.44%	-51.64%	+19.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.53%	-82.90%	+32.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.78%	-53.90%	+46.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.76%	-49.82%	+30.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.74%	12.01%	-6.27%

Volatility

IRBO vs. UBOT - Volatility Comparison

iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) and Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT) have volatilities of 19.32% and 20.33%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRBO	UBOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.32%	20.33%	-1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.00%	40.01%	-10.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.22%	50.84%	-16.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.57%	53.54%	-23.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.30%	63.58%	-35.28%

IRBO vs. UBOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRBO has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than UBOT's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

IRBO vs. UBOT - Dividend Comparison

IRBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.06%, less than UBOT's 0.98% 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%
UBOT Direxion Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares	0.98%	0.78%	1.45%	0.65%	0.00%	2.25%	15.83%	0.55%	0.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IRBO and UBOT in my portfolio?

IRBO and UBOT have a correlation of 0.77, 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 UBOT?

UBOT has higher volatility (20.33%) compared to IRBO (19.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRBO dropped -54.50% vs UBOT's -86.24%.

Which ETF is better, IRBO or UBOT?

On 5-year performance, IRBO leads with 11.69% vs -10.30% for UBOT. On fees, IRBO is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, IRBO has been the lower-risk option at 19.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IRBO or UBOT?

Over the 5-year period, IRBO has performed better with a 11.69% return vs -10.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IRBO or UBOT?

IRBO is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for UBOT.

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

UBOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.06% for IRBO.

What is the main difference between IRBO and UBOT?

IRBO tracks Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while UBOT tracks Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: iShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IRBO and 1.29% for UBOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 0.53), 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.