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RBLD vs. VIS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

RBLD vs. VIS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

RBLD (First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF) and VIS (Vanguard Industrials ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - RBLD tracks the Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net while VIS tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RBLD returned 9.29%/yr vs 14.85%/yr for VIS. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RBLD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VIS.

Performance

RBLD vs. VIS - 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 Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RBLD achieves a 21.51% return, which is significantly higher than VIS's 19.57% return. Over the past 10 years, RBLD has underperformed VIS with an annualized return of 9.29%, while VIS has yielded a comparatively higher 14.85% annualized 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%

VIS

1D
0.66%
1M
5.89%
YTD
19.57%
6M
17.53%
1Y
33.16%
3Y*
23.08%
5Y*
14.26%
10Y*
14.85%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

RBLD vs. VIS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
RBLD
First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF		21.51%13.99%17.94%19.36%-9.87%12.98%0.51%12.81%-21.72%22.95%
VIS
Vanguard Industrials ETF		19.57%18.57%16.85%22.50%-8.57%20.80%12.34%30.09%-14.01%21.47%

Correlation

The correlation between RBLD and VIS 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 (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.80

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2008

0.77

The correlation between RBLD and VIS shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (all time) to 0.91 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RBLD vs. VIS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
RBLD
VIS

Industrials

40.4%
90.2%

Utilities

27.6%
3.8%

Technology

11.8%
4.2%

Energy

8.7%
0.2%

Basic Materials

6.6%
0.1%

Real Estate

4.9%
0.0%

Communication Services

1.0%
0.0%

Consumer Cyclical

-

1.1%

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

0.2%

Healthcare

-

0.0%

Industrials

RBLD
40.4%
VIS
90.2%

Utilities

RBLD
27.6%
VIS
3.8%

Technology

RBLD
11.8%
VIS
4.2%

Energy

RBLD
8.7%
VIS
0.2%

Basic Materials

RBLD
6.6%
VIS
0.1%

Real Estate

RBLD
4.9%
VIS
0.0%

Communication Services

RBLD
1.0%
VIS
0.0%

Consumer Cyclical

RBLD

-

VIS
1.1%

Consumer Defensive

RBLD

-

VIS

-

Financial Services

RBLD

-

VIS
0.2%

Healthcare

RBLD

-

VIS
0.0%

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First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF

Vanguard Industrials ETF

Often compared with RBLD:
RBLD vs. AIPORBLD vs. GRIDRBLD vs. UTESRBLD vs. QGRWRBLD vs. PAVERBLD vs. GABFRBLD vs. SPMO
Often compared with VIS:
VIS vs. XLIVIS vs. VOOVIS vs. FIDUVIS vs. VGTVIS vs. VINAXVIS vs. IYJVIS vs. PRN

Return for Risk

RBLD vs. VIS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
RBLD
RBLD Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
RBLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
RBLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
RBLD Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
RBLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
RBLD Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
VIS
VIS Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
VIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
VIS Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
VIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5656
Calmar Ratio Rank
VIS Martin Ratio Rank: 6464
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VIS - 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 Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS). 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.

RBLDVISDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.29
1.93

+0.36

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.07
2.71

+0.36

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.33

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.43

2.71

+1.72

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

15.05

11.22

+3.83

RBLD vs. VIS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the VIS Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBLD and VIS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

RBLD vs. VIS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBLD drawdown since its inception was -50.07%, smaller than the maximum VIS drawdown of -63.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBLD and VIS.

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Drawdown Indicators

RBLDVISDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.07%

-63.51%

+13.44%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.19%

-12.29%

+5.10%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.14%

-20.80%

+1.66%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-22.54%

-22.96%

+0.42%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-50.07%

-42.42%

-7.65%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.82%

-8.36%

-2.46%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.11%

2.96%

-0.85%

Volatility

RBLD vs. VIS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) is 4.68%, while Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) has a volatility of 6.13%. This indicates that RBLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

RBLDVISDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.68%

6.13%

-1.45%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.76%

14.16%

-3.40%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.91%

17.26%

-3.35%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.84%

18.47%

-1.63%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.69%

20.50%

-1.81%

RBLD vs. VIS - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBLD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VIS's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBLD vs. VIS - Dividend Comparison

RBLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, more than VIS's 0.85% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VIS
Vanguard Industrials ETF		0.85%1.01%1.23%1.36%1.52%1.11%1.38%1.68%1.90%1.60%1.81%1.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.90, RBLD and VIS move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

VIS has higher volatility (6.13%) compared to RBLD (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBLD dropped -50.07% vs VIS's -63.51%.

On 10-year performance, VIS leads with 14.85% vs 9.29% for RBLD. On fees, VIS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, RBLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VIS has performed better with a 14.85% return vs 9.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VIS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for RBLD.

RBLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.85% for VIS.

RBLD tracks Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while VIS tracks MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for RBLD and 0.09% for VIS.

RBLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.93), 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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