BFOR vs. IDOG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BFOR (ALPS Barron's 400 ETF) and IDOG (ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BFOR is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Barron's 400 Index, while IDOG is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S-Network International Sector Dividend Dogs Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BFOR returned 12.56%/yr vs 10.94%/yr for IDOG. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BFOR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for IDOG.

Performance

BFOR vs. IDOG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) and ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with BFOR having a 16.49% return and IDOG slightly lower at 16.40%. Over the past 10 years, BFOR has outperformed IDOG with an annualized return of 12.56%, while IDOG has yielded a comparatively lower 10.94% annualized return.

BFOR

• 1D: 1.26%
• 1M: 0.64%
• 6M: 11.32%
• YTD: 16.49%
• 1Y: 25.45%
• 3Y*: 18.22%
• 5Y*: 10.97%
• 10Y*: 12.56%
• ALL TIME*: 11.64%

IDOG

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 5.40%
• 6M: 10.61%
• YTD: 16.40%
• 1Y: 34.66%
• 3Y*: 21.04%
• 5Y*: 14.23%
• 10Y*: 10.94%
• ALL TIME*: 8.88%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF	$723.94K	$634.98K	$457.05K
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	$1.71M	$1.45M	$1.24M

BFOR vs. IDOG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF	16.49%	13.85%	17.81%	18.19%	-15.92%	30.71%	17.60%	21.30%	-13.86%	19.37%
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	16.40%	39.94%	1.35%	23.57%	-4.50%	11.33%	-1.78%	21.93%	-13.47%	25.61%

Correlation

The correlation between BFOR and IDOG is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2013	0.66

The correlation between BFOR and IDOG shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (1 year) to 0.66 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BFOR vs. IDOG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BFOR	IDOG
Financial Services	21.8%	10.6%
Technology	20.9%	7.7%
Industrials	16.4%	12.3%
Healthcare	11.9%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	10.1%
Energy	6.4%	9.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	10.3%
Communication Services	3.5%	9.5%
Basic Materials	2.4%	9.8%
Utilities	1.8%	10.2%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

BFOR vs. IDOG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BFOR

BFOR Risk / Return Rank: 74
BFOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
BFOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
BFOR Omega Ratio Rank: 68
BFOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
BFOR Martin Ratio Rank: 77

IDOG

IDOG Risk / Return Rank: 93
IDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
IDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
IDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 91
IDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
IDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BFOR vs. IDOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) and ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BFOR	IDOG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.61	-0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.46	-0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.44	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	5.38	-2.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.38	16.68	-6.30

BFOR vs. IDOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BFOR Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is lower than the IDOG Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BFOR and IDOG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BFOR vs. IDOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BFOR drawdown since its inception was -41.27%, which is greater than IDOG's maximum drawdown of -37.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFOR and IDOG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BFOR	IDOG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.27%	-37.32%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-6.47%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.91%	-13.92%	-7.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.93%	-25.31%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.27%	-37.32%	-3.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.27%	+0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.36%	-7.86%	+1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.46%	2.08%	+0.38%

Volatility

BFOR vs. IDOG - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) has a higher volatility of 3.31% compared to ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) at 2.79%. This indicates that BFOR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IDOG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BFOR	IDOG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.31%	2.79%	+0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.68%	10.78%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.82%	13.36%	+1.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.41%	15.64%	+3.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.35%	17.09%	+3.26%

BFOR vs. IDOG - Expense Ratio Comparison

BFOR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than IDOG's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BFOR vs. IDOG - Dividend Comparison

BFOR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.51%, less than IDOG's 4.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF	0.51%	0.60%	0.69%	1.26%	1.68%	0.92%	0.98%	0.69%	0.94%	0.60%	0.78%	0.86%
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	4.23%	4.26%	4.90%	4.86%	4.46%	3.85%	3.00%	5.41%	4.50%	3.33%	4.01%	4.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BFOR and IDOG in my portfolio?

BFOR and IDOG have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BFOR or IDOG?

BFOR has higher volatility (3.31%) compared to IDOG (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BFOR dropped -41.27% vs IDOG's -37.32%.

Which ETF is better, BFOR or IDOG?

On 10-year performance, BFOR leads with 12.56% vs 10.94% for IDOG. On fees, IDOG is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, IDOG has been the lower-risk option at 2.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BFOR or IDOG?

Over the 10-year period, BFOR has performed better with a 12.56% return vs 10.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BFOR or IDOG?

IDOG is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for BFOR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BFOR or IDOG?

IDOG has the higher dividend yield at 4.23%, compared with 0.51% for BFOR.

What is the main difference between BFOR and IDOG?

BFOR is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while IDOG is Foreign Large Cap Equities. BFOR tracks Barron's 400 Index, while IDOG tracks S-Network International Sector Dividend Dogs Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for BFOR and 0.50% for IDOG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.73), 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.