ROBT vs. FAI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) and FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds from First Trust - ROBT tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index while FAI tracks the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ROBT returned 14.90% vs 44.67% for FAI. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.65% expense ratio.

Performance

ROBT vs. FAI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROBT achieves a 8.60% return, which is significantly lower than FAI's 26.88% return.

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%

FAI

• 1D: 3.09%
• 1M: 1.06%
• 6M: 24.84%
• YTD: 26.88%
• 1Y: 44.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 38.15%

*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)
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	$1.47M	$2.87M	$3.61M
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	$2.76M	$2.30M	$2.96M

ROBT vs. FAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	8.60%	15.16%	-0.70%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	26.88%	33.37%	2.28%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBT and FAI is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2024	0.84

The correlation between ROBT and FAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ROBT vs. FAI — 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

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 55
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FAI Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. FAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). 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	FAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	1.54	-0.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	2.05	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.26	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	2.38	-1.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.80	6.18	-4.38

ROBT vs. FAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBT Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the FAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBT and FAI, 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. FAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBT drawdown since its inception was -44.47%, which is greater than FAI's maximum drawdown of -27.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBT and FAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBT	FAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.47%	-27.82%	-16.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.66%	-18.84%	-2.82%
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%	-9.88%	+3.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.82%	-5.78%	-10.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.30%	7.25%	+1.05%

Volatility

ROBT vs. FAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) is 6.27%, while First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) has a volatility of 10.22%. This indicates that ROBT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROBT	FAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	10.22%	-3.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.36%	24.76%	-5.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.00%	29.25%	-4.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.59%	31.34%	-5.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.53%	31.34%	-5.81%

ROBT vs. FAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ROBT and FAI have an expense ratio of 0.65%.

Dividends

ROBT vs. FAI - Dividend Comparison

ROBT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, while FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	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 FAI in my portfolio?

ROBT and FAI have a correlation of 0.83, 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 FAI?

FAI has higher volatility (10.22%) compared to ROBT (6.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBT dropped -44.47% vs FAI's -27.82%.

Which ETF is better, ROBT or FAI?

On 1-year performance, FAI leads with 44.67% vs 14.90% for ROBT. Both ETFs have the same 0.65% expense ratio. 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 FAI?

Over the 1-year period, FAI has performed better with a 44.67% 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 FAI?

ROBT and FAI have the same expense ratio: 0.65% per year.

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

ROBT has the higher dividend yield at 0.02%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.

What is the main difference between ROBT and FAI?

ROBT tracks Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, while FAI tracks Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 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.