LDSF vs. ROBT
LDSF (First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF) and ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LDSF is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by First Trust, while ROBT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. LDSF is actively managed, while ROBT is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LDSF returned 2.48%/yr vs -0.15%/yr for ROBT. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDSF charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ROBT.
Performance
LDSF vs. ROBT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LDSF achieves a 0.98% return, which is significantly lower than ROBT's 3.41% return.
LDSF
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 0.98%
- 6M
- 0.97%
- 1Y
- 4.48%
- 3Y*
- 5.40%
- 5Y*
- 2.48%
- 10Y*
- —
ROBT
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- -4.00%
- YTD
- 3.41%
- 6M
- 1.42%
- 1Y
- 14.23%
- 3Y*
- 6.91%
- 5Y*
- -0.15%
- 10Y*
- —
LDSF vs. ROBT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF | 0.98% | 6.82% | 4.20% | 6.53% | -5.47% | -0.28% | 2.48% | 4.52% |
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF | 3.41% | 15.16% | -0.41% | 27.77% | -34.94% | 9.91% | 46.18% | 32.08% |
Correlation
The correlation between LDSF and ROBT is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2019 | 0.27 |
The correlation between LDSF and ROBT shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.42 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
LDSF vs. ROBT — Risk / Return Rank
LDSF
ROBT
LDSF vs. ROBT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) and First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT). 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.
| LDSF | ROBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.62 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.37 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.11 | +0.34 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.59 | 0.66 | +1.93 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.89 | 1.83 | +9.05 |
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Drawdowns
LDSF vs. ROBT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LDSF drawdown since its inception was -8.56%, smaller than the maximum ROBT drawdown of -44.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDSF and ROBT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LDSF | ROBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.56% | -44.47% | +35.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.74% | -21.66% | +19.92% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.74% | -27.68% | +25.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.83% | -43.26% | +35.43% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.11% | -11.03% | +10.92% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.45% | -15.91% | +14.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.41% | 7.78% | -7.37% |
Volatility
LDSF vs. ROBT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) is 0.69%, while First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) has a volatility of 10.64%. This indicates that LDSF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ROBT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LDSF | ROBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.69% | 10.64% | -9.95% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.72% | 19.27% | -17.55% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.05% | 24.76% | -22.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.09% | 25.48% | -22.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.17% | 25.59% | -22.42% |
LDSF vs. ROBT - Expense Ratio Comparison
LDSF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than ROBT's 0.65% expense ratio.
Dividends
LDSF vs. ROBT - Dividend Comparison
LDSF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.62%, while ROBT has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF | 4.62% | 4.52% | 4.53% | 4.08% | 2.61% | 1.97% | 2.65% | 3.06% | 0.00% |
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.68% | 0.23% | 0.35% | 0.06% | 0.17% | 0.42% | 0.44% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LDSF and ROBT have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ROBT has higher volatility (10.64%) compared to LDSF (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDSF dropped -8.56% vs ROBT's -44.47%.
On 5-year performance, LDSF leads with 2.48% vs -0.15% for ROBT. On fees, ROBT is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, LDSF has been the lower-risk option at 0.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, LDSF has performed better with a 2.48% return vs -0.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ROBT is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for LDSF.
LDSF has the higher dividend yield at 4.62%, compared with 0.00% for ROBT.
LDSF is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while ROBT is Technology Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for LDSF and 0.65% for ROBT.
LDSF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 0.58), 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.
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