Stock Markets September 14, 2026 03:24 PM

How IGPT, ARTY and AIS Compare as AI-Driven Software ETF Plays

Three diversified software and AI ETFs fell in a broad risk-off session; concentration, regional tilt and liquidity set them apart

By Marcus Reed
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IGPT ARTY AIS META NVDA

All three major diversified software and AI exchange-traded funds were trading lower as of Sep 14 at about 3:20 PM EDT during a broad risk-off market move. The funds differ sharply in sector concentration, regional exposure, asset size and recent performance, with AIS leading 1-year returns but also showing the largest intraday drawdown. ARTY offers the most liquidity and geographic diversification, while IGPT is the most U.S.-centric and semiconductor-heavy despite its software label.

How IGPT, ARTY and AIS Compare as AI-Driven Software ETF Plays
IGPT ARTY AIS META NVDA
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Key Points

  • All three diversified software and AI ETFs traded lower on Sep 14 at about 3:20 PM EDT in a risk-off session.
  • AIS posted the highest 1-year return (+116.1%) but also the largest intraday drop today (-6.61%), indicating higher volatility and beta.
  • ARTY is the most liquid option at $4.03B AUM and offers the greatest Asia exposure (25.5%), while IGPT is the most U.S.-centric and semiconductor-heavy despite its software label.

The three leading diversified software and artificial intelligence ETFs were all in negative territory on Sep 14 at roughly 3:20 PM EDT, reflecting a general move away from risk assets. Below is a detailed look at each fund's positioning, recent returns and distinguishing traits.


Snapshot of the funds

Screener return figures are index snapshots and may lag live prices slightly.

ETF AUM 1Y Return YTD 3M Live Price (Today)
Invesco AI & Next Gen Software (IGPT) $1.29B +80.6% +61.0% -1.6% $93.39 (-2.44%)
iShares Future AI & Tech (ARTY) $4.03B +70.8% +56.8% +3.1% $72.90 (-3.42%)
VistaShares AI Supercycle (AIS) $1.0B +116.1% +89.5% -6.8% $66.83 (-6.61%)

What each fund emphasizes

  • IGPT - The pure-play software label that leans semiconductor

    Despite being branded as a software fund, IGPT carries heavy exposure to semiconductor-related names. Its top holdings include Meta (META) at 9.3%, NVIDIA (NVDA) at 8.7%, AMD (AMD) at 8.4% and Micron (MU) at 8.0%. The fund's 74.5% weight to the tech sector and an 83% tilt to North America make IGPT the most concentrated, U.S.-centric option among the three.

  • ARTY - The balanced, globally diversified option

    iShares' ARTY presents the widest geographic diversification of the group. Around 25.5% of its exposure sits in Asia, reflected in holdings such as TSMC, NAVER and CoreWeave (CRWV). The lineup also includes infrastructure-focused names like Super Micro (SMCI) and CoreWeave, and at $4.03B in assets under management it is the most liquid fund in this trio.

  • AIS - The highest-beta, highest-return candidate

    VistaShares' AIS shows the strongest 1-year performance at +116.1% and the most global exposure, with roughly 34% in Asia including SK Hynix (7.8%) and TSMC ADR (3.7%). It has a roughly 90% weight in the technology sector and adds AI infrastructure plays such as Vertiv (VRT) and Semtech (SMTC). The combination of outsized 1-year gains and today's -6.61% intraday move highlights the elevated volatility investors may face.


Leveraged and short-term instruments

The screener indicated several leveraged single-stock ETFs leading 1-year returns, including 2x exposures to DELL, CRWD and PANW. These daily-reset, 2x instruments can experience decay over time and are generally suited to short-term tactical trading rather than long-term upside exposure.

Reported leveraged drawdowns for the three core funds on the day were noted as: IGPT -2.67%, ARTY -3.58%, AIS -7.06%.


Upside exposure matrix

Objective Best fit
Max raw upside, high tolerance AIS - +116% 1Y, Asia-tilted
Liquidity + balance ARTY - $4B AUM, global spread
US-focused conviction IGPT - pure tech, 80%+ 1Y
2x leveraged tech (tactical only) ROM (ProShares Ultra Tech, $1.27B)

The dip context

All three funds moving lower in a single session suggests a macro-driven or sector rotation dynamic rather than idiosyncratic fund-level news. Historically, the article notes, synchronized pullbacks in AI-focused ETFs have sometimes come ahead of sharp rebounds when a clear macro trigger - such as shifts in rate sentiment or broader risk appetite - reverses. Market participants will be watching whether those dynamics unfold into the close.


Bottom line

IGPT, ARTY and AIS each offer distinct trade-offs: IGPT provides concentrated U.S. tech exposure with a semiconductor tilt; ARTY delivers broader geographic diversification and the largest asset base; AIS presents the strongest 1-year return but also the largest intraday volatility. Investors should weigh concentration, regional exposure and liquidity when choosing among them.

Risks

  • Synchronized sell-offs across these ETFs suggest exposure to macro or sector rotation risks, which can impact technology and broader equity markets.
  • High 1-year returns, particularly for AIS, are accompanied by elevated volatility, posing downside risk for investors with low tolerance for drawdowns.
  • Leveraged single-stock ETFs that dominated 1-year returns are daily-reset instruments prone to decay and are unsuitable for long-term buy-and-hold strategies, affecting short-term traders and derivatives users.

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