STLG vs. IRBO

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

STLG (iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF) and IRBO (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - STLG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell US Large Cap Factors Growth Style Index, while IRBO is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, STLG returned 17.57%/yr vs 10.52%/yr for IRBO. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. STLG charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IRBO.

Performance

STLG vs. IRBO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF (STLG) and iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STLG achieves a 18.78% return, which is significantly lower than IRBO's 43.11% return.

STLG

• 1D: 1.62%
• 1M: 0.39%
• 6M: 15.63%
• YTD: 18.78%
• 1Y: 33.89%
• 3Y*: 30.65%
• 5Y*: 17.57%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 20.34%

IRBO

• 1D: 3.39%
• 1M: -3.07%
• 6M: 32.62%
• YTD: 43.11%
• 1Y: 63.16%
• 3Y*: 28.37%
• 5Y*: 10.52%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.10%

*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)
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	$35.64M	$36.90M	$59.33M
STLG iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF	$26.42M	$25.59M	$23.01M

STLG vs. IRBO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
STLG iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF	18.78%	21.49%	37.42%	42.86%	-26.75%	27.99%	26.51%
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	43.11%	29.97%	8.02%	36.37%	-37.89%	6.32%	41.45%

Correlation

The correlation between STLG and IRBO is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 16, 2020	0.83

The correlation between STLG and IRBO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

STLG vs. IRBO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	STLG	IRBO
Technology	55.0%	83.8%
Consumer Cyclical	16.7%	2.9%
Healthcare	8.8%	0.0%
Communication Services	6.3%	5.5%
Industrials	4.9%	4.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	0.0%
Financial Services	2.2%	-
Utilities	1.6%	3.2%
Energy	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.0%	1.2%

Return for Risk

STLG vs. IRBO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

STLG

STLG Risk / Return Rank: 69
STLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
STLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
STLG Omega Ratio Rank: 66
STLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
STLG Martin Ratio Rank: 71

IRBO

IRBO Risk / Return Rank: 69
IRBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
IRBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IRBO Omega Ratio Rank: 65
IRBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
IRBO Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

STLG vs. IRBO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF (STLG) and iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO). 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.

	STLG	IRBO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.70	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	2.18	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.28	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	2.64	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.05	8.49	+0.56

STLG vs. IRBO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STLG Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the IRBO Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STLG and IRBO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

STLG vs. IRBO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STLG drawdown since its inception was -31.34%, smaller than the maximum IRBO drawdown of -54.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STLG and IRBO.

Drawdown Indicators

	STLG	IRBO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.34%	-54.50%	+23.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.69%	-24.00%	+10.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	-32.44%	+8.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.61%	-50.53%	+19.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.79%	-14.61%	+11.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.27%	-19.68%	+12.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.76%	7.46%	-3.70%

Volatility

STLG vs. IRBO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF (STLG) is 5.74%, while iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) has a volatility of 14.41%. This indicates that STLG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IRBO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STLG	IRBO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.74%	14.41%	-8.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.02%	33.09%	-17.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.01%	37.42%	-17.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.36%	30.34%	-7.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.92%	28.65%	-4.73%

STLG vs. IRBO - Expense Ratio Comparison

STLG has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than IRBO's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

STLG vs. IRBO - Dividend Comparison

STLG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.27%, more than IRBO's 0.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	0.06%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%
STLG iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF	0.27%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STLG and IRBO in my portfolio?

STLG and IRBO have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STLG or IRBO?

IRBO has higher volatility (14.41%) compared to STLG (5.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STLG dropped -31.34% vs IRBO's -54.50%.

Which ETF is better, STLG or IRBO?

On 5-year performance, STLG leads with 17.57% vs 10.52% for IRBO. On fees, STLG is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, STLG has been the lower-risk option at 5.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, STLG or IRBO?

Over the 5-year period, STLG has performed better with a 17.57% return vs 10.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STLG or IRBO?

STLG is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IRBO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STLG or IRBO?

STLG has the higher dividend yield at 0.27%, compared with 0.06% for IRBO.

What is the main difference between STLG and IRBO?

STLG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IRBO is Artificial Intelligence. STLG tracks Russell US Large Cap Factors Growth Style Index, while IRBO tracks Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for STLG and 0.47% for IRBO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STLG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.70), 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.