ROBT vs. PBOT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) and PBOT (Pictet AI & Automation ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds. ROBT is passively managed, while PBOT is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ROBT charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for PBOT.

Performance

ROBT vs. PBOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Pictet AI & Automation ETF (PBOT). 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 PBOT's 26.50% 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%

PBOT

• 1D: 1.80%
• 1M: -1.29%
• 6M: 24.01%
• YTD: 26.50%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

*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)
PBOT Pictet AI & Automation ETF	$30.33K	$29.64K	$24.21K
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	$2.76M	$2.30M	$2.96M

ROBT vs. PBOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	8.60%	-6.05%
PBOT Pictet AI & Automation ETF	26.50%	0.33%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBT and PBOT is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2025	0.86

Return for Risk

ROBT vs. PBOT — 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

PBOT

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. PBOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Pictet AI & Automation ETF (PBOT). 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	PBOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.80	—	—

Drawdowns

ROBT vs. PBOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBT drawdown since its inception was -44.47%, which is greater than PBOT's maximum drawdown of -15.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBT and PBOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBT	PBOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.47%	-15.78%	-28.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.66%	—	—
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%	-6.04%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.82%	-4.52%	-11.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.30%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ROBT	PBOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.36%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.00%	26.96%	-1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.59%	26.96%	-1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.53%	26.96%	-1.43%

ROBT vs. PBOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROBT has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than PBOT's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROBT vs. PBOT - Dividend Comparison

ROBT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than PBOT's 0.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PBOT Pictet AI & Automation ETF	0.08%	0.10%	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 PBOT in my portfolio?

ROBT and PBOT have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ROBT or PBOT?

On fees, ROBT is cheaper at 0.65% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROBT or PBOT?

ROBT is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for PBOT.

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

PBOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.08%, compared with 0.02% for ROBT.

What is the main difference between ROBT and PBOT?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pictet. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ROBT and 0.70% for PBOT.