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ETF Comparison

AIHY vs DTCR: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF and Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated August 13, 2026

Best for

  • AIHYInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • DTCRInvestors who want higher current income (0.78% while AIHY makes no distribution).

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricAIHYDTCR
Full nameDefiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETFGlobal X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF
IssuerDefiance ETFsGlobal X
Last Close$21.22 as of August 13, 2026$28.69 as of August 13, 2026
Distribution yield0.78%
Distribution Safety Score™ 69
Expense ratio0.76%0.50%
AUM$506,890$2.14B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlySemi-Annual
Underlying index
ObjectiveSeeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in the companies building and operating the compute backbone of artificial intelligence — spanning AI compute infrastructure, cloud platforms, data centers, semiconductors, and AI software. Holdings must derive at least 50% of revenues, assets, or spending from AI and demonstrate revenue growing faster than operating expenses.Invests in companies that operate data center REITs and digital infrastructure assets such as cell towers and fiber networks.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date07/20/202610/27/2020
Beta1.54
Last dividend$0.1120
Ex-dividend date12/29/202506/29/2026

— Distribution yield, last dividend, and ex-dividend date are not yet available because AIHY launched July 2026; these fields will populate after the first distribution.

Bottom lineChoose AIHY if you want broad equity exposure. Choose DTCR if you want higher current income (0.78% while AIHY makes no distribution).

Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

ETFs90
Total AUM$10.7B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Defiance ETFs is known for offering specialized and thematic investment strategies that cater to niche market segments and alternative income approaches. The issuer's lineup spans income-focused funds, leveraged strategies, combinations of leverage with income generation, and thematic products tied to emerging trends and sectors. Defiance emphasizes non-traditional and differentiated strategies rather than broad-based index exposure, appealing to investors seeking targeted exposure beyond conventional ETF offerings.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on AIHY.

ETFs118
Total AUM$96.8B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Global X is known for developing thematic and alternative investment ETFs with a strong emphasis on income-generating strategies. Their 37-fund lineup spans diverse categories including covered call funds, SuperDividend income products, digital assets, commodities, and sector-specific investments, alongside traditional bond and risk-managed income options. Notable tickers like DIV, MLPA, and BCCC reflect their specialization in high-yield and alternative income strategies, positioning them as a provider focused on investors seeking yield-oriented and thematically-driven exposure.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on DTCR.

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

AIHY has lagged DTCR over the year to date, posting a 6.55% total return against 31.18%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTDSince Jul 2026
AIHY6.55%6.55%
DTCR31.18%1.34%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 12, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Jul 2026” measures every fund from July 21, 2026 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window.

Quick verdict

AIHY (Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF) and DTCR (Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

DTCR currently shows a 0.78% distribution yield. AIHY has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

DTCR is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.50% compared to 0.76%.

DTCR has $2.14B in assets vs $506,890 for AIHY, but AIHY only launched July 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, AIHY has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, while DTCR would produce $6.50/month, at current distribution rates.

AIHY yield
DTCR yield0.78%

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, AIHY would cost approximately $760 in fees vs $500 for DTCR (simplified, not compounded). The $260.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

AIHY ER0.76%
DTCR ER0.50%

Strategy & risk

AIHY is an ETF, while DTCR is an ETF.

AIHY beta
DTCR beta1.54

Fund details

AIHY is managed by Defiance ETFs (launched 07/20/2026) with $506,890 in assets. DTCR is managed by Global X (launched 10/27/2020) with $2.14B in assets.

AIHY AUM$506,890
DTCR AUM$2.14B

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Frequently asked questions

Which of AIHY or DTCR pays more dividend income?

DTCR currently reports a distribution yield, while AIHY has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.

What is the difference between AIHY and DTCR?

AIHY (Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF) is an ETF, while DTCR (Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF) is an ETF. They are issued by Defiance ETFs and Global X respectively.

Can I hold both AIHY and DTCR?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Which has lower fees, AIHY or DTCR?

AIHY has an expense ratio of 0.76% while DTCR charges 0.50%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in AIHY vs DTCR generate?

At current rates, AIHY has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available. The same in DTCR would produce about $6.50 per month ($78.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, AIHY or DTCR?

AIHY has lagged DTCR over the year to date, posting a 6.55% total return against 31.18%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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AIHY vs DTCR — at a glance

Generated August 9, 2026.

Overview

AIHY and DTCR both track companies in the data-center and digital-infrastructure ecosystem, but they approach it from different angles. AIHY focuses narrowly on artificial intelligence compute infrastructure and AI-adjacent technology, requiring holdings to derive at least half their revenue from AI. DTCR takes a broader infrastructure lens, investing in data center REITs and digital real estate assets like towers and fiber, with no AI-specific revenue threshold. The key distinction is that AIHY is a pure-play AI infrastructure equity fund, while DTCR is a diversified digital-infrastructure equity fund that includes real estate.

How they differ

The biggest difference is scope: AIHY requires 50%+ AI revenue exposure as a filter, capturing semiconductor makers, cloud platforms, and AI-software companies alongside data center operators. DTCR invests in the real-estate side of digital infrastructure—primarily data center REITs, cell towers, and fiber networks—without an AI revenue requirement.

Second, the yield profile differs sharply. DTCR offers a 0.79% distribution yield paid semi-annually, typical for REIT holdings. AIHY does not report a distribution rate, reflecting its pure-equity, growth-oriented mandate with no requirement to pay income.

Third, DTCR carries a lower expense ratio at 0.50% versus AIHY's 0.76%, and DTCR has significantly larger assets under management at $2.14B compared to AIHY's $506,890 in AUM. DTCR also has a longer track record, having launched in October 2020 versus AIHY's July 2026 inception.

Who each is best for

AIHY: Fits growth-focused investors seeking concentrated exposure to the AI infrastructure buildout—companies manufacturing and deploying the compute backbone for artificial intelligence, where revenue growth and AI exposure are core selection criteria.

DTCR: Fits investors looking for diversified digital-infrastructure exposure with modest dividend income, built around established data center REITs and telecom-tower operators whose cash flows support regular distributions.

Key risks to know

  • Concentration on AI narrative: AIHY's revenue-requirement filter may concentrate holdings in companies whose valuations are elevated by current AI enthusiasm. If AI spending or adoption growth slows, these names could face significant multiple compression.
  • Real estate and interest-rate sensitivity: DTCR's REIT holdings are sensitive to rising discount rates and refinancing costs. Higher interest rates can pressure both valuations and the sustainability of distributions paid by REITs.
  • Sector overlap and competitive risk: Both funds hold data center operators, but AIHY's AI-focused filter may create overlap in semiconductor and cloud positions. Data center capacity expansion and price competition could pressure margins across both fund holdings.
  • AIHY's limited operating history: With an inception date of July 2026, AIHY has no track record through a full market cycle or recession. Performance through stress periods is untested.
  • DTCR's lower growth potential: Because DTCR emphasizes income-yielding infrastructure assets, its price-appreciation potential is likely lower than a growth-oriented AI-infrastructure fund, particularly in a rising earnings environment.

Bottom line

If you're seeking direct exposure to the AI compute-infrastructure buildout with a growth orientation and no income requirement, AIHY's focused screening stands out; if you want diversified digital-infrastructure exposure with quarterly or semi-annual dividends and a proven operating history, DTCR's broader REIT and tower portfolio may feel more stable. Keep in mind that neither fund's past performance predicts future results, and AIHY's limited history means risk characteristics remain to be tested through market cycles.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

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