Generated September 6, 2026.
Overview
AIQ and HLTH are both equity ETFs focused on artificial intelligence, but they diverge sharply in scope and approach. AIQ casts a wide net across global technology and AI innovation with a passive index strategy and $10.1B in assets. HLTH is a nascent active fund launched 07/21/2026 that narrows the lens to healthcare companies applying AI—drug discovery, diagnostics, imaging, and health IT—and holds just $7.66M in assets.
How they differ
The fundamental split is breadth versus depth. AIQ uses a passive index approach across technology and AI globally; HLTH actively picks from a single healthcare vertical where AI is being deployed.
Second, AIQ has been operating since 05/11/2018 with $10.1B in assets and a expense ratio, while HLTH is brand-new—less than a year old—with $7.66M in assets and a expense ratio. The size difference is dramatic: AIQ has roughly 1,300 times more capital under management. For an investor seeking income, AIQ offers none either, but its structure is proven and liquid, while HLTH's lack of distributions may reflect its newness and active mandate focused on capital growth rather than yield.
Who each is best for
AIQ: Fits investors seeking broad exposure to global AI and technology innovation with low fees and a passive, index-based approach. Works well for those building a core technology allocation or who want AI exposure without the risk of active stock-picking in a narrow sector.
HLTH: Designed for investors who believe healthcare is the most compelling AI application frontier and are comfortable with active management, concentrated sector exposure, and a fund still in its early stage. Suits those willing to accept higher operational risk in exchange for conviction on a specific thematic opportunity.
Key risks to know
- Valuation risk in AI-focused equity: Both funds concentrate in companies trading on AI narratives, which may embed elevated growth expectations. If those expectations reset, valuations could compress sharply across both portfolios.
- Extreme size disparity and liquidity: HLTH holds $7.66M in assets—a micro-cap fund by ETF standards. Redemption risk, limited trading liquidity, and potential for the fund to close are material concerns that do not apply to AIQ's $10.1B position.
- Active management risk in HLTH: HLTH's manager has a very short track record (less than a year). There is no evidence yet of whether active security selection adds or subtracts value in this theme, and investors bear the fee for that experiment.
- AIQ's high beta: At a 1.68 beta, AIQ amplifies tech-sector swings. In a market downturn, it will likely fall harder than the index, while in rallies it accelerates upward—suitable only for investors with a long time horizon and comfort with volatility.
- Thematic concentration in HLTH: Limiting exposure to healthcare AI excludes other sectors where AI deployment may prove equally or more valuable (semiconductors, enterprise software, cloud infrastructure). This creates single-theme risk.
Bottom line
AIQ offers a liquid, low-cost, broad exposure to global AI and technology with no income expectation. HLTH bets that healthcare AI is the highest-conviction opportunity and charges an active management premium for that conviction—but its micro-cap size and unproven track record mean it remains a thematic venture. If you value proven scale and diversified implementation, AIQ stands out; if you prioritize narrow thematic conviction and active management, HLTH presents that profile. Past performance does not predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
