ROBT vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, while ^GSPC (S&P 500 Index) is an index. Over the past 5 years, ROBT returned 2.38%/yr vs 12.30%/yr for ^GSPC. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

ROBT vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROBT achieves a 14.22% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's 10.35% return.

ROBT

• 1D: -1.73%
• 1M: 13.18%
• YTD: 14.22%
• 6M: 12.64%
• 1Y: 30.71%
• 3Y*: 10.10%
• 5Y*: 2.38%
• 10Y*: —

^GSPC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.90%
• YTD: 10.35%
• 6M: 10.28%
• 1Y: 26.52%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: 12.30%
• 10Y*: 13.66%

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

ROBT vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	14.22%	15.16%	-0.41%	27.77%	-34.94%	9.91%	46.18%	34.28%	-13.98%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	10.35%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-7.29%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBT and ^GSPC is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2018	0.84

The correlation between ROBT and ^GSPC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ROBT vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROBT

ROBT Risk / Return Rank: 32
ROBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
ROBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
ROBT Omega Ratio Rank: 32
ROBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
ROBT Martin Ratio Rank: 28

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 73
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 72
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

ROBT vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	ROBT	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	2.24	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	3.07	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.41	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	2.93	-1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	13.52	-9.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ROBT vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBT Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBT and ^GSPC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ROBT	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	2.24	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.73	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.47	-0.12

Drawdowns

ROBT vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBT drawdown since its inception was -44.47%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBT and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBT	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.47%	-56.78%	+12.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.66%	-9.10%	-12.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.68%	-18.90%	-8.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.26%	-25.43%	-17.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.92%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.73%	-0.74%	-0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.97%	-10.72%	-5.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.53%	1.97%	+5.56%

Volatility

ROBT vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) has a higher volatility of 6.46% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 2.93%. This indicates that ROBT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROBT	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.46%	2.93%	+3.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.51%	8.99%	+8.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.32%	11.89%	+11.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.18%	16.90%	+8.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.48%	18.06%	+7.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROBT and ^GSPC in my portfolio?

ROBT and ^GSPC have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROBT or ^GSPC?

ROBT has higher volatility (6.46%) compared to ^GSPC (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBT dropped -44.47% vs ^GSPC's -56.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^GSPC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 1.32), 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.