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IYW vs ROBO
Which ETF would AI Choose? iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) vs. ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF (ROBO)
Key Takeaways
- IYW provides broad, passive exposure to the U.S. technology sector through the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, while ROBO offers targeted global exposure to robotics and automation companies via the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index.
- IYW holds approximately 148 securities with significant concentration in large-cap names such as NVIDIA Corp, Apple Inc, and Microsoft Corp; ROBO maintains a more diversified portfolio of roughly 80 holdings with no single position exceeding 2%.
- Expense ratios differ materially: IYW charges 0.37%, whereas ROBO carries a higher 0.95% fee, reflecting its specialized thematic mandate.
- Sector allocations reveal IYW’s heavy weighting toward semiconductors, software, and tech hardware, while ROBO spans industrials, electronic technology, and healthcare applications tied to automation.
- IYW benefits from greater liquidity and scale as a long-established fund launched in 2000; ROBO, launched in 2013, provides international diversification across developed and emerging markets.
- Both ETFs align with secular trends in artificial intelligence and automation, yet they differ in risk profiles, with IYW exhibiting broader market-beta characteristics and ROBO displaying higher thematic volatility.
Introduction
Investors seeking technology-driven growth increasingly compare broad sector funds with specialized thematic vehicles. The iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) and the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF (ROBO) both capture innovation themes yet pursue distinct strategies. IYW delivers diversified U.S. technology exposure, while ROBO narrows focus to robotics, automation, and related artificial intelligence applications worldwide. These ETFs do not compete directly; instead, they offer complementary or alternative approaches for investors balancing sector breadth against thematic precision in an environment shaped by rapid technological adoption.
iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) Overview
The iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) seeks to track the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, which measures the performance of U.S. equities in the technology sector. The fund employs a passive replication strategy and holds approximately 148 securities. Top holdings typically include NVIDIA Corp, Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp, Broadcom Inc, and Alphabet Inc, accounting for a substantial portion of assets. Sector allocations concentrate in semiconductors and semiconductor equipment, software and services, and tech hardware and equipment. The expense ratio stands at 0.37%. Launched in 2000, IYW features quarterly distributions and maintains high liquidity on the NYSE Arca exchange.
ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF (ROBO) Overview
The ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF (ROBO) tracks the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index, targeting companies involved in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. This passive, rules-based ETF holds roughly 80 equities and rebalances quarterly. Holdings remain diversified, with top positions such as Intuitive Surgical Inc, Teradyne Inc, and Fanuc Corp each representing less than 2% of assets. The portfolio spans electronic technology, producer manufacturing, and healthcare equipment, with meaningful allocations outside the United States. The expense ratio is 0.95%. Launched in 2013, ROBO trades on NYSE Arca and distributes dividends annually.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
Both ETFs operate within the expanding technology and automation landscape. Capital continues to flow toward artificial intelligence infrastructure, industrial robotics, and intelligent systems that enhance productivity across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and services. Macroeconomic drivers include ongoing digital transformation, labor market dynamics, and corporate capital expenditure on efficiency-enhancing technologies. Regulatory developments around data privacy, export controls on advanced semiconductors, and supply-chain resilience influence sector trajectories. Risks encompass elevated valuations in growth-oriented segments, potential interest-rate sensitivity, and geopolitical tensions affecting global technology supply chains. These factors shape the environment for both broad technology exposure and specialized robotics strategies.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
In recent market cycles, IYW has reflected the broader technology sector’s sensitivity to earnings growth among leading semiconductor and software companies, with performance influenced by artificial intelligence demand and hardware cycles. ROBO has demonstrated distinct behavior tied to robotics adoption rates, industrial automation spending, and healthcare technology deployment, often exhibiting higher volatility due to its global and mid-cap tilt. During periods of sector rotation favoring large-cap technology leaders, IYW has shown stronger relative positioning; in environments emphasizing automation themes or international diversification, ROBO has offered differentiated exposure. Liquidity profiles favor IYW given its larger scale and longer history.
AI Screener
Tickeron’s AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Investors seeking data-driven insights into ETFs like IYW and ROBO may benefit from exploring the platform.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors including lower expense ratio, broader diversification within a high-liquidity U.S. technology universe, and established scale, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of favorable positioning to the iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) for investors seeking efficient, core technology exposure. The ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF (ROBO) may appeal to those prioritizing thematic purity and global automation coverage despite its higher cost and narrower mandate.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is IYW is a Hold and ROBO is a Hold.
IYW in downward trend: price dove below 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026
IYW moved below its 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 30 of 33 similar past instances, the stock price decreased further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 14, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on IYW as a result. In 77 of 86 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for IYW turned negative on October 12, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 50 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 44 of the 50 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 88%.
The 10-day moving average for IYW crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 23, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 15 of 17 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 88%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where IYW declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 84%.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where IYW's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 22 of 23 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 7 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a +1.07% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where IYW advanced for three days, in 326 of 374 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 87%.
IYW may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 294 of 319 cases where IYW Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 90%.
ROBO sees MACD Histogram just turned negative
ROBO saw its Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) turn negative on October 12, 2026. This is a bearish signal that suggests the stock could decline going forward. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 46 instances where the indicator turned negative. In 41 of the 46 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a downward move at 89%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 12, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on ROBO as a result. In 62 of 74 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 84%.
ROBO moved below its 50-day moving average on October 12, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for ROBO crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 11 of 18 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 61%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ROBO declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 85%.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where ROBO's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 25 of 30 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 83%.
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 9 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a +2.15% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ROBO advanced for three days, in 280 of 327 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 86%.
ROBO may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 228 of 252 cases where ROBO Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 90%.
| IYW | ROBO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 83% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 90% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 84% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 88% | 3 days ago 89% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 83% | 3 days ago 85% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 88% | 3 days ago 85% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 20 days ago 87% | 5 days ago 86% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 84% | 3 days ago 85% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 90% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 90% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| JIVE | 93.77 | -0.08 | -0.09% |
| JPMorgan International Value ETF (JIVE) | |||
| NIXT | 35.22 | -0.15 | -0.43% |
| Research Affiliates Deletions ETF (NIXT) | |||
| GRX | 9.96 | -0.06 | -0.60% |
| Gabelli Healthcare & Wellness Trust (The) | |||
| JOUL | 19.44 | -0.14 | -0.69% |
| Corgi High Voltage Grid Equipment ETF (JOUL) | |||
| ECC | 2.63 | -0.12 | -4.36% |
| Eagle Point Credit Company | |||
IYW and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IYW has been closely correlated with ONTO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 67% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if IYW jumps, then ONTO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To IYW | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IYW | 100% | +0.39% | ||
| ONTO - IYW | 67% Closely correlated | +0.01% | ||
| MKSI - IYW | 65% Loosely correlated | +0.22% | ||
| NXPI - IYW | 63% Loosely correlated | -1.21% | ||
| VRT - IYW | 63% Loosely correlated | -0.65% | ||
| COHR - IYW | 62% Loosely correlated | +0.71% | ||
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ROBO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ROBO has been loosely correlated with EMR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 64% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ROBO jumps, then EMR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ROBO | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROBO | 100% | -0.05% | ||
| EMR - ROBO | 64% Loosely correlated | +0.81% | ||
| JOBY - ROBO | 63% Loosely correlated | +1.28% | ||
| COHR - ROBO | 62% Loosely correlated | +0.71% | ||
| ROK - ROBO | 61% Loosely correlated | +0.53% | ||
| CLS - ROBO | 59% Loosely correlated | -3.35% | ||
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