First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT) Covered Calls

The First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF is an exchange-traded fund that tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. The fund provides exposure to global companies involved in the artificial intelligence and robotics segments across the technology, industrial, and medical sectors. By utilizing a modified equal-weighting methodology, the fund captures the growth of both established leaders and emerging innovators in autonomous systems and AI.

You can sell covered calls on First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF to lower risk and earn monthly income. Born To Sell's covered call screener gives you customized search capabilities across all possible covered calls but here are a couple of examples for ROBT (prices last updated Thu 4:16 PM ET):

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First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT) is a global thematic fund that targets the intersection of automation and intelligence. It provides a diversified way to play the "Second Industrial Revolution," where robotics and AI are transforming manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

Investment Strategy and Holdings

The fund tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, which classifies companies into three categories: Enablers, Engagers, and Enhancers. This unique tiered system ensures exposure across the entire hardware and software supply chain. Because of its equal-weighting approach, the portfolio is less top-heavy than its peers. As of March 2026, top holdings include diverse, optionable leaders like Oceaneering International, NICE Ltd., Synopsys, Cisco Systems, and Meta Platforms.

Competitive Landscape

ROBT competes in a crowded field of thematic tech funds. Its primary rivals are the Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF and the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF. For investors seeking a pure AI tilt, the iShares Future AI & Tech ETF is a notable peer. Within the First Trust family, it is often paired with the First Trust Cloud Computing ETF. These funds are all highly liquid and support active options markets for various yield-enhancement strategies.

Strategic Outlook and Performance

The outlook for ROBT is driven by the rapid adoption of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in warehouses and the integration of generative AI into industrial software. With an expense ratio of 0.65%, it offers a blend of tech growth and industrial stability. Innovation in the fund is highlighted by its inclusion of companies specializing in "computer vision" and "machine sensing," which are critical for the next generation of self-driving vehicles and surgical robots. As global labor shortages persist, the demand for the automation solutions provided by ROBT’s constituents is expected to remain structurally high through 2026 and beyond.

Management utilizes a rules-based, passive strategy, rebalancing the fund semi-annually to maintain its equal-weight integrity. For covered call writers, ROBT is particularly interesting because its equal-weighting often results in a different volatility profile than cap-weighted tech funds, potentially offering "smoother" price action while still capturing high-growth tech premiums. The fund’s global reach—with significant exposure to Japanese and European robotics leaders—provides a level of geographic diversification not found in standard U.S.-only tech ETFs. This makes it a core holding for thematic income portfolios.

Want more examples? ROBO Covered Calls | ROCK Covered Calls