ROBO vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

ROBO (ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ROBO is a Robotics fund tracking the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation TR Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROBO returned 13.24%/yr vs 15.07%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ROBO charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

ROBO vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROBO achieves a 24.08% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 10.70% return. Over the past 10 years, ROBO has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 13.24%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.07% annualized return.

ROBO

• 1D: 2.48%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 24.08%
• 6M: 24.69%
• 1Y: 53.50%
• 3Y*: 13.69%
• 5Y*: 6.67%
• 10Y*: 13.24%

VTI

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 1.34%
• YTD: 10.70%
• 6M: 10.70%
• 1Y: 27.58%
• 3Y*: 20.67%
• 5Y*: 12.86%
• 10Y*: 15.07%

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

ROBO vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF	24.08%	23.71%	-1.28%	23.74%	-33.92%	15.34%	45.26%	29.51%	-20.92%	44.26%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	10.70%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBO and VTI is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2013	0.85

The correlation between ROBO and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROBO vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROBO	VTI
Industrials	45.3%	9.5%
Technology	43.6%	33.3%
Healthcare	4.6%	9.1%
Consumer Cyclical	3.1%	9.8%
Financial Services	1.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	1.4%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.3%	4.7%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Energy	-	3.8%
Real Estate	-	2.4%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

ROBO vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROBO

ROBO Risk / Return Rank: 64
ROBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ROBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
ROBO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
ROBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ROBO Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 69
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

ROBO vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	ROBO	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.15	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	2.91	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.39	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.07	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.31	13.75	-2.44

ROBO vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBO Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBO and VTI, 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

ROBO vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBO drawdown since its inception was -43.65%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBO and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBO	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.65%	-55.45%	+11.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.35%	-8.92%	-8.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.92%	-19.30%	-8.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.65%	-25.36%	-18.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.65%	-35.00%	-8.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.80%	-1.17%	-3.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.91%	-8.01%	-4.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.59%	1.99%	+2.60%

Volatility

ROBO vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) has a higher volatility of 10.88% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.84%. This indicates that ROBO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROBO	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.88%	4.84%	+6.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.09%	10.03%	+10.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.67%	12.74%	+11.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.98%	17.50%	+6.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.32%	18.35%	+4.97%

ROBO vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROBO has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROBO vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

ROBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than VTI's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF	0.34%	0.42%	0.55%	0.05%	0.00%	0.18%	0.20%	0.37%	0.37%	0.02%	0.19%	0.28%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.02%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROBO and VTI in my portfolio?

ROBO and VTI have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROBO or VTI?

ROBO has higher volatility (10.88%) compared to VTI (4.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBO dropped -43.65% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, ROBO or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.07% vs 13.24% for ROBO. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROBO or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.07% return vs 13.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROBO or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ROBO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ROBO or VTI?

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.34% for ROBO.

What is the main difference between ROBO and VTI?

ROBO is categorized as Robotics, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. ROBO tracks ROBO Global Robotics and Automation TR Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ROBO and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 2.11), 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.