ROBT vs. DRGN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) and DRGN (Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds - ROBT tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index while DRGN tracks the BITA China Generative AI Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ROBT returned 14.90% vs 34.60% for DRGN. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. ROBT charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DRGN.

Performance

ROBT vs. DRGN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (DRGN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ROBT having a 8.60% return and DRGN slightly higher at 8.71%.

ROBT

• 1D: 2.35%
• 1M: 0.11%
• 6M: 8.47%
• YTD: 8.60%
• 1Y: 14.90%
• 3Y*: 8.48%
• 5Y*: 1.05%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.94%

DRGN

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -0.13%
• 6M: -0.73%
• YTD: 8.71%
• 1Y: 34.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 35.86%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DRGN Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	$403.33K	$404.08K	$565.01K
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	$2.76M	$2.30M	$2.96M

ROBT vs. DRGN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	8.60%	7.43%
DRGN Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	8.71%	26.96%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBT and DRGN is 0.47, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2025	0.46

Return for Risk

ROBT vs. DRGN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ROBT

ROBT Risk / Return Rank: 25
ROBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
ROBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
ROBT Omega Ratio Rank: 25
ROBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
ROBT Martin Ratio Rank: 24

DRGN

DRGN Risk / Return Rank: 37
DRGN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
DRGN Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
DRGN Omega Ratio Rank: 35
DRGN Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
DRGN Martin Ratio Rank: 33

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ROBT vs. DRGN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (DRGN). 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.

	ROBT	DRGN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	0.95	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	1.51	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.18	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	1.67	-0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.80	3.32	-1.52

ROBT vs. DRGN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBT Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the DRGN Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBT and DRGN, 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

ROBT vs. DRGN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBT drawdown since its inception was -44.47%, which is greater than DRGN's maximum drawdown of -20.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBT and DRGN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBT	DRGN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.47%	-20.86%	-23.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.66%	-20.86%	-0.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.68%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.56%	-13.31%	+6.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.82%	-8.41%	-7.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.30%	10.46%	-2.16%

Volatility

ROBT vs. DRGN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) is 6.27%, while Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (DRGN) has a volatility of 11.95%. This indicates that ROBT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DRGN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROBT	DRGN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	11.95%	-5.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.36%	25.81%	-6.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.00%	36.59%	-11.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.59%	35.96%	-10.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.53%	35.96%	-10.43%

ROBT vs. DRGN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROBT has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than DRGN's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROBT vs. DRGN - Dividend Comparison

ROBT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than DRGN's 1.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DRGN Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	1.12%	1.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	0.02%	0.00%	0.68%	0.23%	0.35%	0.06%	0.17%	0.42%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROBT and DRGN in my portfolio?

ROBT and DRGN have a correlation of 0.47, 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 DRGN?

DRGN has higher volatility (11.95%) compared to ROBT (6.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBT dropped -44.47% vs DRGN's -20.86%.

Which ETF is better, ROBT or DRGN?

On 1-year performance, DRGN leads with 34.60% vs 14.90% for ROBT. On fees, DRGN is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, ROBT has been the lower-risk option at 6.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROBT or DRGN?

Over the 1-year period, DRGN has performed better with a 34.60% return vs 14.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROBT or DRGN?

DRGN is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ROBT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ROBT or DRGN?

DRGN has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.02% for ROBT.

What is the main difference between ROBT and DRGN?

ROBT tracks Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, while DRGN tracks BITA China Generative AI Select Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Themes. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ROBT and 0.39% for DRGN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRGN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.95 vs 0.60), 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.