ROBT vs. QARP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) and QARP (Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ROBT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, while QARP is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 2Qual/Val 5% Capped Factor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ROBT returned 2.38%/yr vs 12.06%/yr for QARP. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ROBT charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for QARP.

Performance

ROBT vs. QARP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF (QARP). 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 QARP's 10.34% return.

ROBT

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

QARP

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 2.39%
• YTD: 10.34%
• 6M: 10.57%
• 1Y: 25.02%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

ROBT vs. QARP - 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%	-11.38%
QARP Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF	10.34%	13.99%	18.94%	23.03%	-14.62%	31.82%	14.83%	30.70%	-5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBT and QARP is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2018	0.78

The correlation between ROBT and QARP shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ROBT vs. QARP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROBT	QARP
Technology	57.0%	21.9%
Industrials	20.4%	9.0%
Healthcare	7.4%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	13.2%
Communication Services	4.1%	14.7%
Financial Services	1.6%	9.9%
Energy	1.5%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	10.5%
Basic Materials	-	2.1%
Real Estate	-	0.6%
Utilities	-	0.3%

Return for Risk

ROBT vs. QARP — 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

QARP

QARP Risk / Return Rank: 75
QARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
QARP Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QARP Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. QARP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF (QARP). 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	QARP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	2.43	-1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	3.46	-1.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.43	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	3.46	-2.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	15.79	-11.70
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. QARP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBT Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the QARP Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBT and QARP, 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	QARP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	2.43	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.78	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.72	-0.37

Drawdowns

ROBT vs. QARP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBT drawdown since its inception was -44.47%, which is greater than QARP's maximum drawdown of -35.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBT and QARP.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBT	QARP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.47%	-35.44%	-9.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.66%	-7.26%	-14.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.68%	-15.65%	-12.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.26%	-22.75%	-20.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.73%	-0.98%	-0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.97%	-4.44%	-11.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.53%	1.59%	+5.94%

Volatility

ROBT vs. QARP - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) has a higher volatility of 6.46% compared to Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF (QARP) at 2.21%. This indicates that ROBT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QARP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROBT	QARP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.46%	2.21%	+4.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.51%	7.71%	+9.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.32%	10.36%	+12.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.18%	15.51%	+9.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.48%	19.65%	+5.83%

ROBT vs. QARP - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROBT has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QARP's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROBT vs. QARP - Dividend Comparison

ROBT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QARP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QARP Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF	1.03%	1.14%	1.39%	1.28%	1.68%	1.34%	1.61%	1.85%	1.39%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROBT and QARP in my portfolio?

ROBT and QARP have a correlation of 0.67, 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 QARP?

ROBT has higher volatility (6.46%) compared to QARP (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBT dropped -44.47% vs QARP's -35.44%.

Which ETF is better, ROBT or QARP?

On 5-year performance, QARP leads with 12.06% vs 2.38% for ROBT. On fees, QARP is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, QARP has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROBT or QARP?

Over the 5-year period, QARP has performed better with a 12.06% return vs 2.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROBT or QARP?

QARP is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ROBT.

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

QARP has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for ROBT.

What is the main difference between ROBT and QARP?

ROBT is categorized as Technology Equities, while QARP is Large Cap Growth Equities. ROBT tracks Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, while QARP tracks Russell 1000 2Qual/Val 5% Capped Factor Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ROBT and 0.19% for QARP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QARP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 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.