USRD vs. WISE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

USRD (Themes US R&D Champions ETF) and WISE (Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USRD is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Solactive US R&D Champions Index, while WISE is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Solactive Generative Artificial Intelligence Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, USRD returned 19.51% vs 17.25% for WISE. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USRD charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for WISE.

Performance

USRD vs. WISE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Themes US R&D Champions ETF (USRD) and Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USRD achieves a 10.76% return, which is significantly higher than WISE's -2.18% return.

USRD

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -2.04%
• YTD: 10.76%
• 6M: 9.67%
• 1Y: 19.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

WISE

• 1D: -3.61%
• 1M: -5.13%
• YTD: -2.18%
• 6M: -3.57%
• 1Y: 17.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

USRD vs. WISE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
USRD Themes US R&D Champions ETF	10.76%	12.44%	15.53%	5.32%
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	-2.18%	5.88%	40.45%	6.93%

Correlation

The correlation between USRD and WISE is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2023	0.80

The correlation between USRD and WISE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

USRD vs. WISE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USRD	WISE
Technology	64.5%	91.4%
Healthcare	14.3%	0.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	3.5%
Communication Services	7.0%	2.7%
Industrials	3.6%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	-
Real Estate	1.7%	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Utilities	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

USRD vs. WISE — Risk / Return Rank

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

USRD

USRD Risk / Return Rank: 32
USRD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
USRD Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
USRD Omega Ratio Rank: 31
USRD Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
USRD Martin Ratio Rank: 32

WISE

WISE Risk / Return Rank: 16
WISE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
WISE Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
WISE Omega Ratio Rank: 17
WISE Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
WISE Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

USRD vs. WISE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes US R&D Champions ETF (USRD) and Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE). 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.

	USRD	WISE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.10	0.52	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	0.91	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.11	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	0.51	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.25	1.20	+3.05

USRD vs. WISE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USRD Sharpe Ratio is 1.10, which is higher than the WISE Sharpe Ratio of 0.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USRD and WISE, 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

USRD vs. WISE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USRD drawdown since its inception was -23.79%, smaller than the maximum WISE drawdown of -39.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRD and WISE.

Drawdown Indicators

	USRD	WISE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.79%	-39.15%	+15.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.49%	-34.08%	+20.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.69%	-16.72%	+8.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.75%	-11.90%	+8.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.60%	14.44%	-9.84%

Volatility

USRD vs. WISE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Themes US R&D Champions ETF (USRD) is 8.56%, while Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) has a volatility of 13.48%. This indicates that USRD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WISE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USRD	WISE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.56%	13.48%	-4.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.73%	25.50%	-10.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.86%	33.41%	-15.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.52%	33.85%	-14.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.52%	33.85%	-14.33%

USRD vs. WISE - Expense Ratio Comparison

USRD has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than WISE's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

USRD vs. WISE - Dividend Comparison

USRD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than WISE's 4.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
USRD Themes US R&D Champions ETF	0.38%	0.42%	2.44%
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	4.22%	4.12%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USRD and WISE in my portfolio?

USRD and WISE have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USRD or WISE?

WISE has higher volatility (13.48%) compared to USRD (8.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRD dropped -23.79% vs WISE's -39.15%.

Which ETF is better, USRD or WISE?

On 1-year performance, USRD leads with 19.51% vs 17.25% for WISE. On fees, USRD is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, USRD has been the lower-risk option at 8.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USRD or WISE?

Over the 1-year period, USRD has performed better with a 19.51% return vs 17.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USRD or WISE?

USRD is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for WISE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USRD or WISE?

WISE has the higher dividend yield at 4.22%, compared with 0.38% for USRD.

What is the main difference between USRD and WISE?

USRD is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while WISE is Technology Equities. USRD tracks Solactive US R&D Champions Index, while WISE tracks Solactive Generative Artificial Intelligence Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for USRD and 0.35% for WISE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USRD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.10 vs 0.52), 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.