ROBO vs VOO
ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ROBO or VOO?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. ROBO led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBO is less concentrated, with 18.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ROBO | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 80 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +13.44%Best | +13.31% |
| 1Y Return | +20.18%Best | +17.07% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.23% | +22.72%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.21% | +13.19%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.5% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,711 | $18,580Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.1%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | Robo Global | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 22, 2013 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2013 to Sep 23, 2026 (12.9 years).
ROBO vs VOO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.9 years both funds cover.
ROBO vs VOO Performance
ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO) is an ETF from Robo Global and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ROBO returned +20.18% while VOO returned +17.07%. Year to date, ROBO is up 13.44% versus a gain of 13.31% for VOO.
Over three years, ROBO compounded at +17.23% per year against +22.72% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +3.21% and +13.19% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +12.84% annualized vs +9.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ROBO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% compared with 14.5% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -43.6% for ROBO and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ROBO charges 0.95% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ROBO currently yields 0.36% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
23.6% of ROBO's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 10.3% of VOO's money is in holdings ROBO also owns.
ROBO and VOO share little of their money.
17 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in ROBO and 494 in VOO, against full books of 80 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 470 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for ROBO (88.8% of the fund), and 17 for ROBO that do not appear in VOO (21.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ROBO | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.50% | 7.55% | 6.05% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.07% | 1.36% | 0.29% |
| ZBRAZebra Technologies Corp | 1.90% | 0.02% | 1.88% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 1.67% | 0.23% | 1.44% |
| ISRGIntuitive Surgical Inc. | 1.66% | 0.19% | 1.47% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 1.69% | 0.13% | 1.56% |
| ROKRockwell Automation | 1.71% | 0.08% | 1.63% |
| NDSNNordson Corp | 1.70% | 0.02% | 1.68% |
| TERTeradyne Inc - Common | 1.58% | 0.09% | 1.49% |
| ADSKAutodesk, Inc. | 1.45% | 0.08% | 1.37% |
23.6% of ROBO is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ROBO or VOO?
ROBO has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ROBO or VOO?
Over the past year ROBO returned +20.18% vs +17.07% for VOO, so ROBO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), ROBO annualized +9.53% vs +12.84% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ROBO or VOO?
ROBO has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 14.5% for VOO. Worst drawdown: ROBO -43.6% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both ROBO and VOO?
ROBO and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ROBO and VOO?
23.6% of ROBO's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 10.3% of VOO's is in holdings ROBO also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in ROBO and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, ROBO or VOO?
ROBO yields 0.36% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than ROBO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. ROBO led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBO is less concentrated, with 18.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.