ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • ROBO Global • Robotics/Automation
Expense Ratio
0.95%
AUM
$1.0B
Dividend Yield
0.20%
Inception
2013
Beginner Score
8/10
What is ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF?
ROBO tracks an index of companies involved in robotics, automation, and AI-related technologies across the entire value chain. It uses an equal-weight approach that gives smaller specialized firms as much influence as large tech giants. This design makes it a broader and more diversified alternative to market-cap-weighted robotics funds.
ROBO is managed by ROBO Global and has been available since 2013. With $1.0B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.95%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $95 per year in management fees.
ROBO at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% |
| Total Holdings | 80 |
| P/E Ratio | 28.0 |
| Beta | 1.10 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.20% |
| AUM | $1.0B |
| Inception Year | 2013 |
| Issuer | ROBO Global |
Top 10 Holdings in ROBO
ROBO holds 80 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intuitive Surgical | ISRG | 2.50% |
| 2 | Rockwell Automation | ROK | 2.00% |
| 3 | Keyence Corp. | 6861.T | 2.00% |
| 4 | iRobot Corp. | IRBT | 1.80% |
| 5 | Cognex Corp. | CGNX | 1.80% |
| 6 | Brooks Automation | BRKS | 1.70% |
| 7 | Teradyne Inc. | TER | 1.70% |
| 8 | ABB Ltd. | ABBNY | 1.60% |
| 9 | Omnicell Inc. | OMCL | 1.50% |
| 10 | Zebra Technologies | ZBRA | 1.50% |
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
ROBO Performance History
Here's how ROBO has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
6.00%
1 Year
12.00%
3 Year
3.00%
5 Year
9.00%
10 Year
8.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 8/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
ROBO scores 8/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, focuses on 80 selected holdings, and has been available since 2013, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy ROBO — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "ROBO" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into ROBO
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With ROBO's expense ratio of 0.95%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $7,549 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
Get the Free ETF Portfolio Blueprint
3 model portfolios for beginners — Conservative, Balanced, and Growth. See exactly which ETFs to buy.
Pros and Cons of ROBO
Pros
- ✓Equal-weight methodology provides genuine diversification across 80+ holdings
- ✓Covers a wider range of robotics applications than most competing funds
- ✓Less concentrated in mega-cap tech stocks than market-cap-weighted alternatives
- ✓Exposure to niche automation areas like agriculture, healthcare, and 3D printing
Cons
- ✗Highest expense ratio in the robotics ETF category at 0.95%
- ✗Equal-weighting means less exposure to proven large-cap automation leaders
- ✗Smaller AUM compared to BOTZ which may result in wider bid-ask spreads
ROBO vs Similar ETFs
See how ROBO stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ROBO a good ETF for beginners?▾
ROBO has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and focused strategy.
What is the expense ratio of ROBO?▾
ROBO has an expense ratio of 0.95%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $95 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in ROBO?▾
You can invest in ROBO with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does ROBO pay dividends?▾
Yes, ROBO pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 0.20%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in ROBO?▾
The top holdings in ROBO include Intuitive Surgical (2.50%), Rockwell Automation (2.00%), Keyence Corp. (2.00%), and more. The fund holds 80 total positions, providing focused exposure to selected companies.