SHLD vs. AIS

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS).

SHLD and AIS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SHLD is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the Global X Defense Tech Index - Benchmark TR Net. It was launched on Sep 11, 2023. AIS is an actively managed fund by VistaShares. It was launched on Dec 3, 2024.

Performance

SHLD vs. AIS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SHLD vs. AIS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SHLD Global X Defense Tech ETF	13.41%	74.16%	-4.46%
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	14.59%	58.35%	-4.92%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHLD achieves a 13.41% return, which is significantly lower than AIS's 14.59% return.

SHLD

• 1D: 3.73%
• 1M: -4.67%
• YTD: 13.41%
• 6M: 5.02%
• 1Y: 56.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AIS

• 1D: 3.27%
• 1M: -4.88%
• YTD: 14.59%
• 6M: 20.26%
• 1Y: 99.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SHLD vs. AIS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHLD has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than AIS's 0.75% expense ratio.

AIS

VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF

SHLD

Global X Defense Tech ETF

Return for Risk

SHLD vs. AIS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHLD

SHLD Risk / Return Rank: 92
SHLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
SHLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SHLD Omega Ratio Rank: 89
SHLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
SHLD Martin Ratio Rank: 88

AIS

AIS Risk / Return Rank: 96
AIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
AIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
AIS Omega Ratio Rank: 94
AIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
AIS Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

SHLD vs. AIS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS). 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.

	SHLD	AIS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	2.73	-0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.20	-0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.45	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.90	5.38	-1.48
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.34	18.48	-7.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SHLD vs. AIS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the AIS Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHLD and AIS, 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

	SHLD	AIS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	2.73	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.62	1.43	+1.19

Correlation

The correlation between SHLD and AIS is 0.41, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

SHLD vs. AIS - Dividend Comparison

SHLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.48%, while AIS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
SHLD Global X Defense Tech ETF	0.48%	0.55%	0.53%	0.26%
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

SHLD vs. AIS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHLD drawdown since its inception was -15.06%, smaller than the maximum AIS drawdown of -32.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHLD and AIS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHLD	AIS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.06%	-32.78%	+17.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.06%	-18.75%	+3.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.82%	-7.84%	+2.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.58%	-5.97%	+3.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.18%	5.46%	-0.28%

Volatility

SHLD vs. AIS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) is 9.74%, while VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) has a volatility of 15.36%. This indicates that SHLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SHLD	AIS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.74%	15.36%	-5.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.64%	27.11%	-8.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.64%	36.65%	-11.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.81%	36.16%	-15.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.81%	36.16%	-15.35%