ROBT vs. TCAI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) and TCAI (Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds. ROBT is passively managed, while TCAI is actively managed. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.65% expense ratio.

Performance

ROBT vs. TCAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF (TCAI). 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 TCAI's 60.69% 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%

TCAI

• 1D: 3.49%
• 1M: -4.18%
• 6M: 39.26%
• YTD: 60.69%
• 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)
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	$2.76M	$2.30M	$2.96M
TCAI Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF	$4.59M	$5.30M	$6.77M

ROBT vs. TCAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	8.60%	3.51%
TCAI Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF	60.69%	17.27%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBT and TCAI is 0.62, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2025	0.62

ROBT vs. TCAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROBT	TCAI
Technology	53.3%	44.4%
Industrials	23.1%	30.5%
Healthcare	8.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	2.1%
Communication Services	3.8%	2.2%
Energy	1.6%	3.9%
Financial Services	1.6%	7.2%
Consumer Defensive	1.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.6%
Utilities	-	9.8%

Return for Risk

ROBT vs. TCAI — 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

TCAI

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. TCAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF (TCAI). 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	TCAI	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. TCAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBT drawdown since its inception was -44.47%, which is greater than TCAI's maximum drawdown of -28.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBT and TCAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBT	TCAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.47%	-28.82%	-15.65%
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%	-18.15%	+11.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.82%	-4.77%	-11.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.30%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ROBT	TCAI	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%	41.75%	-16.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.59%	41.75%	-16.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.53%	41.75%	-16.22%

ROBT vs. TCAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

ROBT vs. TCAI - Dividend Comparison

ROBT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than TCAI's 0.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
TCAI Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF	0.03%	0.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROBT and TCAI in my portfolio?

ROBT and TCAI have a correlation of 0.62, 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 TCAI?

Both ETFs have the same 0.65% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROBT or TCAI?

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

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

ROBT and TCAI have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.02%.

What is the main difference between ROBT and TCAI?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Tortoise.