ROBO vs AIQ ETF comparison
ROBO vs AIQ
ROBO holds about 80 robotics and automation companies worldwide at similar weights, so no stock is above 2.5%, and AIQ holds about 90 companies that build or use artificial intelligence, from chip makers to software and internet platforms. They cover different themes. ROBO is a robotics and automation fund and AIQ is a artificial intelligence fund.
ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members. AIQ follows an Indxx index of AI and big data companies with a cap on single names, so it is spread across many large technology companies. ROBO charges 0.95% and AIQ charges 0.68%. This page lines up what each fund holds, how much they overlap, how each performed and what each costs, with the date next to every number.
ROBO vs AIQ, the short answer
ROBO and AIQ differ in what they hold and what they charge. They cover different themes. ROBO is a robotics and automation fund and AIQ is a artificial intelligence fund. ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members. AIQ follows an Indxx index of AI and big data companies with a cap on single names, so it is spread across many large technology companies.
Expense ratios are 0.95% and 0.68%. NAV total returns, annualized (both to Sep 30, 2026): 1 year 23.09% vs 32.28%; 3 years 17.23% vs 34.47%; 5 years 4.72% vs 16.95%. Neither is better for everyone; the choice turns on which theme you want, how concentrated you are willing to be and what you already own.
Want the full picture of one fund before you compare? Read the complete guide for each fund: ROBO guide and AIQ guide. Each guide covers fees, holdings, yield, returns and taxes.
ROBO vs AIQ overlap, if you own both
ROBO · ten largest holdings
As of Nov 9, 2026- 1Intuitive Surgical ISRG2.42%Only here
- 2PTC Inc PTC1.91%Only here
- 3Novanta NOVT1.82%Only here
- 4Emerson Electric EMR1.77%Only here
- 5Fanuc 69541.71%Only here
- 6GEA Group G1A1.69%Only here
- 7JBT Marel JBTM1.67%Only here
- 8Rockwell Automation ROK1.65%Only here
- 9Hexagon HEXAB1.61%Only here
- 10Hon Hai Precision Industry 23171.60%Only here
Ten largest total 17.9%
AIQ · ten largest holdings
As of Nov 9, 2026- 1Microsoft MSFT4.28%Only here
- 2Palantir Technologies PLTR4.11%Only here
- 3Space Exploration Technologies SPCX3.60%Only here
- 4Tesla TSLA3.54%Only here
- 5Amazon AMZN3.42%Only here
- 6Apple AAPL3.27%Only here
- 7Meta Platforms META3.17%Only here
- 8Oracle ORCL2.99%Only here
- 9Advanced Micro Devices AMD2.82%Only here
- 10Tencent Holdings 7002.81%Only here
Ten largest total 34.0%
Shared by both · 0 companies
| Company | ROBO weight | AIQ weight | Gap |
|---|
Only in ROBO’s top ten: Intuitive Surgical, PTC Inc, Novanta, Emerson Electric, Fanuc, GEA Group, JBT Marel, Rockwell Automation, Hexagon, Hon Hai Precision Industry. Only in AIQ’s top ten: Microsoft, Palantir Technologies, Space Exploration Technologies, Tesla, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Oracle, Advanced Micro Devices, Tencent Holdings.
The twist
9.2% of the weight sits in stocks both funds hold (matched by ticker in issuer holdings dated Nov 9, 2026), and 0 stocks appear in both top-ten lists. The funds share only a small part of their weight, so owning both genuinely adds different companies.
ROBO vs AIQ, one goal, which fund?
ROBO vs AIQ, where the money goes
ROBO · ROBO Global, Nov 9, 2026
AIQ · Global X, Nov 9, 2026
ROBO vs AIQ returns compared over 1, 3, 5 and 10 years
ROBO vs AIQ, what each fund costs a year
The data room
Every figure behind the ROBO vs AIQ cards above, with its source, date and evidence grade. Open the issuer documents before relying on any number.
ROBO vs AIQ key facts
Evidence grade: Issuer issuer page · Mixed issuer plus provider · 3rd party| Metric | ROBO | AIQ | Grade and source |
|---|
Portfolio characteristics
| Metric | ROBO | AIQ | Grade and source |
|---|
Net assets are dated Nov 9, 2026 for both funds (ROBO $1.82B; AIQ $9.37B). Figures an issuer page does not show are left out or marked Not captured, not estimated.
ROBO vs AIQ holdings and top ten
Click a tile · ROBO: ROBO Global, Nov 9, 2026 · AIQ: Global X, Nov 9, 2026Tile area is proportional to weight.
| # | Holding | Weight |
|---|
| # | Holding | Weight |
|---|
Top ten sums: ROBO 17.9% · AIQ 34.0%. 0 shared top-ten holdings. Weights change.
ROBO vs AIQ sector exposure
ROBO: Nov 9, 2026 · AIQ: Nov 9, 2026The sector mirror
Same funds, different lenses
Company size
ROBO holds 79 stocks and AIQ holds 88. AIQ reports a weighted average market cap of $1,101.61B. Theme funds that weight by market value lean toward very large companies, while equal-weight designs give smaller companies more say.
What you actually own
ROBO vs AIQ performance
Matched dates, both to Sep 30, 2026All rows come from the issuer pages and are dated Sep 30, 2026 for both funds, so they compare like for like. NAV returns include fees; market price and index returns are shown beside them where the issuer published them. “Since inception” starts in different years (ROBO 2013, AIQ 2018). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Growth of a hypothetical $10,000 · NAV total return, both to Sep 30, 2026
Both funds derived from issuer NAV total returns on matched dates (compounded). Fund expenses are already in NAV. Illustration, not a forecast.
ROBO vs AIQ yield, dividends and dividend growth
Yield and distribution facts| Measure | ROBO | AIQ |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day SEC yield | Not captured | -0.07% |
| Trailing 12-month | Not captured | Not captured |
| Paid, last 12 months | Not captured | Not captured |
| Frequency | Annual | Semi-annual |
Theme funds like these pay little income. The 30-day SEC yield was not captured for ROBO and -0.07% for AIQ, and a figure near zero or below means fund costs use up most of the dividends the stocks pay. These funds are held for growth, not yield. Gaps are marked Not captured. See what is dividend yield and yield vs total return.
ROBO vs AIQ concentration and overlap
Ten largest positions · shared holdingsRank by rank, the ten largest holdings of each fund. Top five: ROBO 9.6%, AIQ 18.9%. Top ten: ROBO 17.9%, AIQ 34.0%.
ROBO vs AIQ trading and liquidity
Issuer fund pages · Nov 9, 2026The issuers report 30-day median bid/ask spreads of 0.32% for ROBO and 0.02% for AIQ. A spread of 0.05% is about $50 between the buy and sell price on $100,000, and smaller funds usually cost more to trade than larger ones. Funds with many foreign holdings can also trade at a premium or discount to NAV when overseas markets are closed. Use limit orders for large trades and avoid the first and last minutes of the session. See creation, redemption and trading.
ROBO vs AIQ expense ratio and fees in dollars
As stated by each issuer| Balance | ROBO (0.95%) | AIQ (0.68%) | Gap per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $95 | $68 | $27 |
| $50,000 | $475 | $340 | $135 |
| $100,000 | $950 | $680 | $270 |
The expense ratio is taken from fund assets, not billed to you. Fees exclude the bid/ask spread, any premium or discount to NAV, brokerage commissions and taxes.
ROBO vs AIQ, how each fund picks its stocks
Index approach, in plain languageROBO · ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index
ROBO tracks the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index. It holds about 80 robotics and automation companies worldwide at similar weights, so no stock is above 2.5%. It was launched in 2013, and the ten largest holdings total 17.9% of the fund. Index rules and rebalance dates are in the prospectus.
AIQ · Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index
AIQ tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index. It holds about 90 companies that build or use artificial intelligence, from chip makers to software and internet platforms. It was launched in 2018, and the ten largest holdings total 34.0% of the fund. Index rules and rebalance dates are in the prospectus.
Exact eligibility rules, caps and rebalance dates sit in each prospectus and index methodology; read them before relying on this summary.
ROBO vs AIQ, why yield and returns differ
Sector mix explains much of the gapThey cover different themes. ROBO is a robotics and automation fund and AIQ is a artificial intelligence fund. ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members. AIQ follows an Indxx index of AI and big data companies with a cap on single names, so it is spread across many large technology companies.
Because each index sets its own rules, the funds hold different stocks at different weights, and that explains most of the gap in returns. A fund that puts more weight in its largest companies will follow those companies closely, while an evenly weighted fund behaves more like an average of many smaller ones. Fees matter less than holdings over short periods and more over long ones.
How to decide between ROBO and AIQ
A step-by-step frameworkStart with what separates them: They cover different themes. ROBO is a robotics and automation fund and AIQ is a artificial intelligence fund. ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members.
AIQ follows an Indxx index of AI and big data companies with a cap on single names, so it is spread across many large technology companies. Then check what you already own: the funds overlap by 9.2%, so holding both is a real decision about how much of each theme you want.
- Step 1 · Theme: ROBO is a robotics and automation fund and AIQ is a artificial intelligence fund.
- Step 2 · Concentration: the ten largest holdings are 17.9% of ROBO and 34.0% of AIQ.
- Step 3 · Cost: ROBO 0.95% vs AIQ 0.68%.
- Step 4 · Overlap with your core: large technology companies also sit in S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 funds, so use the Diversification Calculator against what you own.
Size the position against your whole portfolio. Theme funds are volatile, so they usually play a small, deliberate role beside a core fund.
ROBO vs AIQ for Canadian investors
Currency, withholding tax and account typeROBO and AIQ are U.S.-listed and trade in U.S. dollars, so buying them from a Canadian account usually involves converting Canadian dollars, which adds a cost on entry and exit. A move in the U.S. dollar also changes your return in Canadian dollars.
Dividends from U.S.-listed funds are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax for Canadian holders, with treatment that depends on the account type. These funds pay little income, so the effect is small, but confirm the rules for your account with a tax professional. This is general education, not tax advice.
Risks of ROBO and AIQ
What can go wrongShared risks
- Theme funds are concentrated in one industry or idea, so they can fall much further than the broad market.
- Valuations in technology themes can be high, and prices can drop sharply when growth expectations change.
- Returns can differ widely from one period to the next; a strong year often follows or precedes a weak one.
- Neither fund pays meaningful income, so the return depends on price.
Fund-specific risks
- ROBO: ten largest holdings total 17.9% of the fund (Nov 9, 2026); 79 stocks.
- AIQ: ten largest holdings total 34.0% of the fund (Nov 9, 2026); 88 stocks.
- ROBO: charges 0.95%, the highest fee in this group, and holds many smaller foreign companies. AIQ: overlaps with broad technology funds because it holds the same large technology companies.
- Both: the funds track indexes with their own rules, so holdings change at each rebalance.
ROBO vs AIQ taxes and account placement
General education, not tax adviceBoth funds hold stocks and are taxed like other equity ETFs. Distributions are small, and gains are taxed when you sell, at rates that depend on how long you held the shares and on your own situation. Funds with foreign holdings may pay some foreign tax inside the fund.
For Canadian account types and withholding tax, see the Canadian section above. Confirm the rules for your account with a tax professional, and read how to build an ETF portfolio.
Other ETFs people compare
For context, not recommendationsInvestors comparing ROBO and AIQ often also look at the other thematic funds in this group: SMH, SOXX, BOTZ, ROBO, AIQ and SKYY. See the other thematic ETFs comparisons, the broader growth and tech ETFs and the ETF research hub.
ROBO vs AIQ drawdown arithmetic
What a decline means in dollarsRecovery gain = decline ÷ (1 − decline). The scenarios use illustrative declines of 10%, 20% and 30% so you can see what a drop does to each fund. They are a rough guide to a bad year, not a worst-case figure. See the Position Size Calculator.
Tools to compare ROBO vs AIQ
Static weights from this pageIgnores taxes, spreads and holdings differences. ETF Fee Calculator.
Check shared exposure with the Diversification Calculator.
ROBO vs AIQ, which fits which job
Characteristics, not recommendationsROBO may suit investors who want…
A broad, evenly weighted robotics and automation basket.
Strengths
- Flatter top ten: 17.9% against 34.0%
- 79 holdings
- Exchange-traded and priced all day
Watch points
- Higher fee: 0.95% against 0.68%
- Led in 0 of 3 return windows (both to Sep 30, 2026)
- Narrow theme exposure
- Not a complete portfolio
AIQ may suit investors who want…
A wide AI basket across chips, software and platforms.
Strengths
- Lower fee: 0.68% against 0.95%
- Led in 3 of 3 return windows (both to Sep 30, 2026)
- 88 holdings
- Exchange-traded and priced all day
Watch points
- Heavier top ten: 34.0% against 17.9%
- Narrow theme exposure
- Not a complete portfolio
ROBO vs AIQ investor scenarios
Characteristics that fit, not recommendationsROBO vs AIQ key terms
Plain-language definitions
ROBO vs AIQ, frequently asked questions
Answers use the figures and dates shown aboveIs ROBO or AIQ better?
In the ROBO vs AIQ question, neither is better for everyone. ROBO and AIQ differ in what they hold and what they charge. They cover different themes. ROBO is a robotics and automation fund and AIQ is a artificial intelligence fund. ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members.
AIQ follows an Indxx index of AI and big data companies with a cap on single names, so it is spread across many large technology companies. Expense ratios are 0.95% and 0.68%. NAV total returns, annualized (both to Sep 30, 2026): 1 year 23.09% vs 32.28%; 3 years 17.23% vs 34.47%; 5 years 4.72% vs 16.95%. Neither is better for everyone; the choice turns on which theme you want, how concentrated you are willing to be and what you already own.
ROBO vs AIQ, what are the expense ratios?
ROBO charges 0.95% and AIQ charges 0.68%, which is $95 and $68 a year per $10,000.
ROBO vs AIQ, how much do the funds overlap?
On ROBO vs AIQ, about 9.2% of the weight is held by both funds, matched by ticker in issuer holdings dated Nov 9, 2026. 13 stocks are held by both, and 0 appear in both top-ten lists.
ROBO vs AIQ, what does each ETF track?
ROBO tracks the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index. AIQ tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index.
ROBO vs AIQ, what are the top holdings?
ROBO (Nov 9, 2026): Intuitive Surgical 2.42%, PTC Inc 1.91%, Novanta 1.82%, Emerson Electric 1.77%, Fanuc 1.71%. AIQ (Nov 9, 2026): Microsoft 4.28%, Palantir Technologies 4.11%, Space Exploration Technologies 3.6%, Tesla 3.54%, Amazon 3.42%.
ROBO vs AIQ, which has performed better?
NAV total returns, annualized (both to Sep 30, 2026): 1 year 23.09% vs 32.28%; 3 years 17.23% vs 34.47%; 5 years 4.72% vs 16.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
ROBO vs AIQ, can I own both?
On ROBO vs AIQ, you can. They overlap by about 9.2%. The funds share only a small part of their weight, so owning both genuinely adds different companies.
ROBO vs AIQ, do the funds pay dividends?
On ROBO vs AIQ, only small amounts. The 30-day SEC yield was not captured for ROBO and -0.07% for AIQ, so income is not the reason to hold either fund.
ROBO vs AIQ, how concentrated are the funds?
The ten largest holdings are 17.9% of ROBO and 34.0% of AIQ. The largest single holding is Intuitive Surgical at 2.42% in ROBO and Microsoft at 4.28% in AIQ.
ROBO vs AIQ, are they suitable for Canadian investors?
On ROBO vs AIQ, both are U.S.-listed and trade in U.S. dollars, so Canadians face currency conversion costs and U.S. withholding tax on the small dividends. Treatment differs across TFSA, RRSP and taxable accounts. This is general education, not tax advice.
ROBO vs AIQ documents and sources
Open the issuer documents before relying on any figureROBO · ROBO Global
AIQ · Global X
Third-party sources
ROBO Global ROBO fund page · Global X AIQ fund page.
Methodology and limits
- ROBO figures come from the ROBO Global fund page and AIQ figures from the Global X fund page.
- Dates are shown beside each figure; the issuer documents are linked below.
- Holdings overlap is the sum of the smaller weight of each ticker held by both funds, using each issuer’s full holdings list (Nov 9, 2026). Cash and futures are left out.
- Industry groups on this page are assigned by this site from each stock’s main business, using one scheme for every fund, so they will not match an issuer’s own sector table.
- Figures an issuer page does not show are marked Not captured, and nothing was filled from memory or from another fund.
- Growth of $10,000 is derived from annualized NAV total returns on matched dates; dollar values are approximate.
Educational research, not personalized investment, tax or legal advice, and not a recommendation to buy or sell any fund. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Calculators are hypothetical illustrations. Fund data are provided as published by the sources named and may differ from current figures.