RBLD vs. AIPO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

RBLD (First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF) and AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RBLD is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while AIPO is a Building & Construction fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RBLD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIPO.

Performance

RBLD vs. AIPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RBLD achieves a 21.51% return, which is significantly lower than AIPO's 57.19% return.

RBLD

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 2.69%
• YTD: 21.51%
• 6M: 20.56%
• 1Y: 31.69%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 9.29%

AIPO

• 1D: 2.26%
• 1M: 7.45%
• YTD: 57.19%
• 6M: 53.73%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RBLD vs. AIPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	21.51%	1.54%
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	57.19%	9.46%

Correlation

The correlation between RBLD and AIPO is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2025	0.76

RBLD vs. AIPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RBLD	AIPO
Industrials	40.4%	46.4%
Utilities	27.6%	21.2%
Technology	11.8%	18.9%
Energy	8.7%	6.1%
Basic Materials	6.6%	-
Real Estate	4.9%	1.0%
Communication Services	1.0%	0.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	5.3%
Healthcare	-	-

Return for Risk

RBLD vs. AIPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

RBLD

RBLD Risk / Return Rank: 75
RBLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
RBLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
RBLD Omega Ratio Rank: 67
RBLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
RBLD Martin Ratio Rank: 79

AIPO

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

RBLD vs. AIPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). 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.

	RBLD	AIPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.43	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.05	—	—

Drawdowns

RBLD vs. AIPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBLD drawdown since its inception was -50.07%, which is greater than AIPO's maximum drawdown of -17.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBLD and AIPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBLD	AIPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.07%	-17.31%	-32.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.19%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.54%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.82%	-4.44%	-6.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RBLD	AIPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.68%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.91%	35.26%	-21.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.84%	35.26%	-18.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.69%	35.26%	-16.57%

RBLD vs. AIPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBLD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than AIPO's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBLD vs. AIPO - Dividend Comparison

RBLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, more than AIPO's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	1.00%	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 RBLD and AIPO in my portfolio?

RBLD and AIPO have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, RBLD or AIPO?

On fees, RBLD is cheaper at 0.65% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RBLD or AIPO?

RBLD is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIPO.

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

RBLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.01% for AIPO.

What is the main difference between RBLD and AIPO?

RBLD is categorized as Industrials Equities, while AIPO is Building & Construction. RBLD tracks Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while AIPO tracks MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for RBLD and 0.69% for AIPO.