PAVE vs. RBLD

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

PAVE (Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF) and RBLD (First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - PAVE tracks the INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index while RBLD tracks the Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PAVE returned 18.54%/yr vs 11.72%/yr for RBLD. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PAVE charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for RBLD.

Performance

PAVE vs. RBLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) and First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PAVE achieves a 22.22% return, which is significantly higher than RBLD's 20.20% return.

PAVE

• 1D: 1.04%
• 1M: 6.32%
• YTD: 22.22%
• 6M: 19.45%
• 1Y: 36.66%
• 3Y*: 25.73%
• 5Y*: 18.54%
• 10Y*: —

RBLD

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 20.20%
• 6M: 18.74%
• 1Y: 27.47%
• 3Y*: 21.91%
• 5Y*: 11.72%
• 10Y*: 9.17%

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

PAVE vs. RBLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	22.22%	19.36%	17.92%	31.01%	-7.17%	36.42%	19.72%	33.26%	-19.15%	13.41%
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	20.20%	13.99%	17.94%	19.36%	-9.87%	12.98%	0.51%	12.81%	-21.72%	17.84%

Correlation

The correlation between PAVE and RBLD is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2017	0.82

The correlation between PAVE and RBLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

PAVE vs. RBLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PAVE	RBLD
Industrials	75.9%	40.4%
Basic Materials	19.5%	6.6%
Utilities	3.1%	27.6%
Technology	1.0%	11.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	-
Energy	0.2%	8.7%
Communication Services	-	1.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	4.9%

Return for Risk

PAVE vs. RBLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAVE

PAVE Risk / Return Rank: 64
PAVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PAVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
PAVE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
PAVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PAVE Martin Ratio Rank: 68

RBLD

RBLD Risk / Return Rank: 72
RBLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
RBLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
RBLD Omega Ratio Rank: 63
RBLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
RBLD 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.

PAVE vs. RBLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) and First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD). 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.

	PAVE	RBLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.99	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.68	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.33	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	3.84	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.23	13.03	-1.80

PAVE vs. RBLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAVE Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the RBLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAVE and RBLD, 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

PAVE vs. RBLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAVE drawdown since its inception was -44.08%, smaller than the maximum RBLD drawdown of -50.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAVE and RBLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAVE	RBLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.08%	-50.07%	+5.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.91%	-7.19%	-4.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.23%	-19.14%	-7.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.23%	-22.54%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-1.08%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.21%	-10.81%	+4.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	2.11%	+1.16%

Volatility

PAVE vs. RBLD - Volatility Comparison

Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) has a higher volatility of 7.04% compared to First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) at 4.87%. This indicates that PAVE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RBLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAVE	RBLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.04%	4.87%	+2.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.92%	10.87%	+5.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.60%	13.93%	+5.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.66%	16.84%	+4.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.39%	18.61%	+5.78%

PAVE vs. RBLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAVE has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than RBLD's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAVE vs. RBLD - Dividend Comparison

PAVE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, less than RBLD's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	0.75%	0.92%	0.54%	0.68%	0.84%	0.48%	0.44%	0.67%	0.78%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	1.01%	1.19%	1.31%	1.16%	2.10%	1.45%	2.88%	1.84%	1.74%	1.49%	2.01%	1.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAVE and RBLD in my portfolio?

PAVE and RBLD have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAVE or RBLD?

PAVE has higher volatility (7.04%) compared to RBLD (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAVE dropped -44.08% vs RBLD's -50.07%.

Which ETF is better, PAVE or RBLD?

On 5-year performance, PAVE leads with 18.54% vs 11.72% for RBLD. On fees, PAVE is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, RBLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PAVE or RBLD?

Over the 5-year period, PAVE has performed better with a 18.54% return vs 11.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PAVE or RBLD?

PAVE is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for RBLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PAVE or RBLD?

RBLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.75% for PAVE.

What is the main difference between PAVE and RBLD?

PAVE tracks INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index, while RBLD tracks Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: Global X and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for PAVE and 0.65% for RBLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.88), 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.