AESR vs. RFDA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AESR (Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF) and RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, AESR returned 15.28%/yr vs 13.17%/yr for RFDA. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AESR charges 1.46%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for RFDA.

Performance

AESR vs. RFDA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF (AESR) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AESR achieves a 20.98% return, which is significantly higher than RFDA's 11.40% return.

AESR

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 7.94%
• YTD: 20.98%
• 6M: 21.17%
• 1Y: 39.18%
• 3Y*: 26.82%
• 5Y*: 15.28%
• 10Y*: —

RFDA

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 4.27%
• YTD: 11.40%
• 6M: 12.25%
• 1Y: 29.49%
• 3Y*: 19.19%
• 5Y*: 13.17%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AESR vs. RFDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AESR Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF	20.98%	20.34%	25.37%	21.03%	-17.52%	25.26%	19.58%	0.76%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	11.40%	16.42%	20.12%	16.98%	-8.58%	25.94%	11.26%	1.24%

Correlation

The correlation between AESR and RFDA is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2019	0.87

The correlation between AESR and RFDA shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AESR vs. RFDA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AESR	RFDA
Technology	33.8%	19.9%
Communication Services	26.0%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	7.0%
Industrials	10.6%	8.9%
Financial Services	7.0%	14.7%
Basic Materials	2.7%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	7.6%
Energy	2.1%	12.5%
Healthcare	2.0%	8.8%
Utilities	0.3%	5.0%
Real Estate	0.3%	5.0%

Return for Risk

AESR vs. RFDA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AESR

AESR Risk / Return Rank: 75
AESR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
AESR Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
AESR Omega Ratio Rank: 70
AESR Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
AESR Martin Ratio Rank: 83

RFDA

RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 83
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AESR vs. RFDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF (AESR) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AESR	RFDA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.55	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	3.52	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.47	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.01	5.44	-1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.87	19.87	-3.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AESR vs. RFDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AESR Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the RFDA Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AESR and RFDA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AESR	RFDA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	2.55	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.84	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.79	+0.04

Drawdowns

AESR vs. RFDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AESR drawdown since its inception was -31.06%, smaller than the maximum RFDA drawdown of -34.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AESR and RFDA.

Drawdown Indicators

	AESR	RFDA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.06%	-34.60%	+3.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.82%	-5.45%	-4.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.85%	-19.35%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.04%	-19.35%	-5.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-0.92%	+0.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.02%	-3.74%	-2.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	1.49%	+0.84%

Volatility

AESR vs. RFDA - Volatility Comparison

Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF (AESR) has a higher volatility of 5.52% compared to RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) at 2.66%. This indicates that AESR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AESR	RFDA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	2.66%	+2.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.73%	8.47%	+4.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.39%	11.64%	+4.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.83%	15.73%	+2.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.44%	16.85%	+3.59%

AESR vs. RFDA - Expense Ratio Comparison

AESR has a 1.46% expense ratio, which is higher than RFDA's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

AESR vs. RFDA - Dividend Comparison

AESR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.03%, more than RFDA's 1.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
AESR Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF	19.03%	23.02%	0.17%	0.33%	0.73%	6.59%	1.06%	0.33%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	1.77%	1.89%	2.23%	2.68%	3.57%	1.44%	1.62%	1.87%	2.44%	1.90%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AESR and RFDA in my portfolio?

AESR and RFDA have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AESR or RFDA?

AESR has higher volatility (5.52%) compared to RFDA (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AESR dropped -31.06% vs RFDA's -34.60%.

Which ETF is better, AESR or RFDA?

On 5-year performance, AESR leads with 15.28% vs 13.17% for RFDA. On fees, RFDA is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, RFDA has been the lower-risk option at 2.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AESR or RFDA?

Over the 5-year period, AESR has performed better with a 15.28% return vs 13.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AESR or RFDA?

RFDA is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 1.46% for AESR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AESR or RFDA?

AESR has the higher dividend yield at 19.03%, compared with 1.77% for RFDA.

What is the main difference between AESR and RFDA?

They also come from different issuers: Regents Park Funds and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 1.46% for AESR and 0.52% for RFDA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.40), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.