XAIX vs. ROBT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XAIX (Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF) and ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) are both Artificial Intelligence funds - XAIX tracks the Nasdaq Global Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Index while ROBT tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XAIX returned 41.00% vs 12.26% for ROBT. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XAIX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ROBT.

Performance

XAIX vs. ROBT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF (XAIX) and First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XAIX achieves a 23.93% return, which is significantly higher than ROBT's 6.10% return.

XAIX

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: -2.20%
• 6M: 21.95%
• YTD: 23.93%
• 1Y: 41.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 35.89%

ROBT

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: -2.19%
• 6M: 6.05%
• YTD: 6.10%
• 1Y: 12.26%
• 3Y*: 6.14%
• 5Y*: 0.69%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.65%

*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	$2.54M	$2.27M	$2.92M
XAIX Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF	$920.82K	$1.57M	$1.97M

XAIX vs. ROBT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XAIX Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF	23.93%	29.05%	15.21%
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	6.10%	15.16%	10.70%

Correlation

The correlation between XAIX and ROBT is 0.82, 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.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 2, 2024	0.85

The correlation between XAIX and ROBT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

XAIX vs. ROBT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XAIX	ROBT
Technology	79.0%	53.3%
Communication Services	10.4%	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.1%	6.6%
Financial Services	4.4%	1.6%
Industrials	0.1%	23.1%
Healthcare	0.0%	8.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	1.2%
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Energy	0.0%	1.6%
Utilities	0.0%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

XAIX vs. ROBT — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAIX

XAIX Risk / Return Rank: 60
XAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
XAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
XAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
XAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
XAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

ROBT

ROBT Risk / Return Rank: 20
ROBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
ROBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
ROBT Omega Ratio Rank: 20
ROBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
ROBT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

XAIX vs. ROBT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF (XAIX) and First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT). 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.

	XAIX	ROBT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	0.41	+1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	0.72	+1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.08	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	0.47	+1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.70	1.23	+5.47

XAIX vs. ROBT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is higher than the ROBT Sharpe Ratio of 0.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAIX and ROBT, 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

XAIX vs. ROBT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAIX drawdown since its inception was -23.95%, smaller than the maximum ROBT drawdown of -44.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAIX and ROBT.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAIX	ROBT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.95%	-44.47%	+20.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.95%	-21.66%	+4.71%
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	-12.74%	-8.70%	-4.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.99%	-15.83%	+11.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.59%	8.29%	-2.70%

Volatility

XAIX vs. ROBT - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF (XAIX) has a higher volatility of 9.18% compared to First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) at 5.83%. This indicates that XAIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ROBT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XAIX	ROBT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.18%	5.83%	+3.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.99%	19.41%	+3.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.88%	24.93%	+0.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.09%	25.56%	-0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.09%	25.53%	-0.44%

XAIX vs. ROBT - Expense Ratio Comparison

XAIX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than ROBT's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

XAIX vs. ROBT - Dividend Comparison

XAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, more than ROBT's 0.02% 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%
XAIX Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF	0.42%	0.54%	0.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XAIX and ROBT in my portfolio?

XAIX and ROBT have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XAIX or ROBT?

XAIX has higher volatility (9.18%) compared to ROBT (5.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XAIX dropped -23.95% vs ROBT's -44.47%.

Which ETF is better, XAIX or ROBT?

On 1-year performance, XAIX leads with 41.00% vs 12.26% for ROBT. On fees, XAIX is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, ROBT has been the lower-risk option at 5.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XAIX or ROBT?

Over the 1-year period, XAIX has performed better with a 41.00% return vs 12.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XAIX or ROBT?

XAIX is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ROBT.

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

XAIX has the higher dividend yield at 0.42%, compared with 0.02% for ROBT.

What is the main difference between XAIX and ROBT?

XAIX tracks Nasdaq Global Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Index, while ROBT tracks Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XAIX and 0.65% for ROBT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 0.41), 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.