ROBT vs. KSCP

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Knightscope Inc (KSCP).

ROBT is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. It was launched on Feb 21, 2018.

Performance

ROBT vs. KSCP - Performance Comparison

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

ROBT vs. KSCP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	-9.80%	15.16%	-0.41%	27.77%	-22.52%
KSCP Knightscope Inc	4.58%	-70.60%	-57.93%	-68.25%	-68.02%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROBT achieves a -9.80% return, which is significantly lower than KSCP's 4.58% return.

ROBT

• 1D: 1.35%
• 1M: -7.42%
• YTD: -9.80%
• 6M: -12.69%
• 1Y: 14.39%
• 3Y*: 3.45%
• 5Y*: -2.21%
• 10Y*: —

KSCP

• 1D: -6.95%
• 1M: -4.67%
• YTD: 4.58%
• 6M: -37.01%
• 1Y: 41.09%
• 3Y*: -55.67%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

Return for Risk

ROBT vs. KSCP — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROBT

ROBT Risk / Return Rank: 28
ROBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
ROBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
ROBT Omega Ratio Rank: 27
ROBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
ROBT Martin Ratio Rank: 27

KSCP

KSCP Risk / Return Rank: 56
KSCP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
KSCP Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
KSCP Omega Ratio Rank: 61
KSCP Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
KSCP Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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. KSCP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Knightscope Inc (KSCP). 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	KSCP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	0.36	+0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.93	1.42	-0.49
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.17	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	0.53	+0.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.20	0.86	+1.35
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. KSCP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBT Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is higher than the KSCP Sharpe Ratio of 0.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBT and KSCP, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ROBT	KSCP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	0.36	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	-0.43	+0.66

Correlation

The correlation between ROBT and KSCP is 0.32, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

ROBT vs. KSCP - Dividend Comparison

Neither ROBT nor KSCP has paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.68%	0.23%	0.35%	0.06%	0.17%	0.42%	0.44%
KSCP Knightscope Inc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

ROBT vs. KSCP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBT drawdown since its inception was -44.47%, smaller than the maximum KSCP drawdown of -99.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBT and KSCP.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBT	KSCP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.47%	-99.76%	+55.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.66%	-70.86%	+49.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.02%	-99.64%	+79.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.09%	-94.39%	+78.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.82%	43.90%	-37.08%

Volatility

ROBT vs. KSCP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) is 8.69%, while Knightscope Inc (KSCP) has a volatility of 51.80%. This indicates that ROBT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KSCP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROBT	KSCP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.69%	51.80%	-43.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.27%	81.18%	-62.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.73%	113.26%	-85.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.99%	150.88%	-125.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.50%	150.88%	-125.38%