iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI) Performance
BAI total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +21.4% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +17.7% total return
- Since first price
- +64.3% since 2024
BAI trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | BAI total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −14.0% | −14.0% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −10.4% | −10.4% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −1.2% | −1.2% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +21.4% | +21.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +17.7% | +15.6% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionOct 22, 2024 | +64.3% | +61.4% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: BAI vs SPY
From Oct 22, 2024: BAI grew to $16,432, SPY to $13,329.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
BAI returns by calendar year
1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+25.2%), worst 2025 (+25.2%). 2026 is year to date.
BAI annual returns table
| Year | BAI | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +21.4% | −30.9% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +25.2% | −34.1% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
BAI largest drawdowns
Now 25.4% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2025 | −34.1% | Apr 8, 2025 | Jul 16, 2025 | 2 months | 6 months |
| Jun 22, 2026 | −30.9% | Jul 29, 2026 | not yet | 37 days | 4 months so far |
| Oct 29, 2025 | −16.2% | Mar 30, 2026 | Apr 8, 2026 | 5 months | 5 months |
| Jun 2, 2026 | −12.3% | Jun 5, 2026 | Jun 15, 2026 | 3 days | 13 days |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
BAI risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +41.9% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.5% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.02 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.77 |
| Best month | +30.9% |
| Worst month | −21.6% |
| Best 12 months | +96.1% |
| Worst 12 months | +24.5% |
| Positive months | 74% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
BAI rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 13 | +10.0% | +40.6% | +96.1% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
BAI performance overview
iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI) returned +17.7% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Oct 22, 2024 it has returned +64.3%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −34.1%, from Jan 23, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025, and it took 3 months to get back to the old high. Volatility has been 37.5% a year.
Related: BAI chart, BAI holdings, BAI dividends, BAI valuation. See the BAI overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
BAI performance FAQ
What is the BAI return over the past year?
BAI returned +17.7% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 15.6%.
How much would $10,000 invested in BAI be worth?
$10,000 invested in BAI at its first recorded close on October 22, 2024 would be worth about $16,432 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What is the biggest drawdown of BAI?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −34.1% between January 23, 2025 and April 8, 2025. It recovered to the old high on July 16, 2025, 3 months after the bottom.
How volatile is BAI?
Over the past history BAI had an annualized volatility of 37.5% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.02 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).