WISE vs. FAI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

WISE (Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF) and FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds - WISE tracks the Solactive Generative Artificial Intelligence Index - Benchmark TR Gross while FAI tracks the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, WISE returned 0.31% vs 44.67% for FAI. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. WISE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FAI.

Performance

WISE vs. FAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WISE achieves a -8.91% return, which is significantly lower than FAI's 26.88% return.

WISE

• 1D: 3.57%
• 1M: -3.63%
• 6M: -6.05%
• YTD: -8.91%
• 1Y: 0.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.55%

FAI

• 1D: 3.09%
• 1M: 1.06%
• 6M: 24.84%
• YTD: 26.88%
• 1Y: 44.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 38.15%

*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)
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	$1.47M	$2.87M	$3.61M
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	$181.34K	$202.97K	$449.21K

WISE vs. FAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	-8.91%	5.88%	20.17%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	26.88%	33.37%	2.28%

Correlation

The correlation between WISE and FAI is 0.83, 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.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2024	0.82

The correlation between WISE and FAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WISE vs. FAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

WISE

WISE Risk / Return Rank: 12
WISE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
WISE Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
WISE Omega Ratio Rank: 12
WISE Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
WISE Martin Ratio Rank: 11

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 55
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FAI Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

WISE vs. FAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). 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.

	WISE	FAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.01	1.54	-1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.26	2.05	-1.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.26	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.01	2.38	-2.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.02	6.18	-6.16

WISE vs. FAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WISE Sharpe Ratio is 0.01, which is lower than the FAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WISE and FAI, 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

WISE vs. FAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WISE drawdown since its inception was -39.15%, which is greater than FAI's maximum drawdown of -27.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WISE and FAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	WISE	FAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.15%	-27.82%	-11.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.08%	-18.84%	-15.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.45%	-9.88%	-12.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.34%	-5.78%	-6.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.28%	7.25%	+9.03%

Volatility

WISE vs. FAI - Volatility Comparison

Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) has a higher volatility of 11.39% compared to First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) at 10.22%. This indicates that WISE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WISE	FAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.39%	10.22%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.27%	24.76%	+2.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.04%	29.25%	+5.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.06%	31.34%	+2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.06%	31.34%	+2.72%

WISE vs. FAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

WISE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FAI's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

WISE vs. FAI - Dividend Comparison

WISE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, while FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	4.53%	4.12%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WISE and FAI in my portfolio?

WISE and FAI have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WISE or FAI?

WISE has higher volatility (11.39%) compared to FAI (10.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WISE dropped -39.15% vs FAI's -27.82%.

Which ETF is better, WISE or FAI?

On 1-year performance, FAI leads with 44.67% vs 0.31% for WISE. On fees, WISE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FAI has been the lower-risk option at 10.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WISE or FAI?

Over the 1-year period, FAI has performed better with a 44.67% return vs 0.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WISE or FAI?

WISE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FAI.

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

WISE has the higher dividend yield at 4.53%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.

What is the main difference between WISE and FAI?

WISE tracks Solactive Generative Artificial Intelligence Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while FAI tracks Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index. They also come from different issuers: Themes and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for WISE and 0.65% for FAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 0.01), 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.