BSMU vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BSMU (Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BSMU is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the Invesco Bulletshares Municipal Bond 2030 Index, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. BSMU is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BSMU returned -0.68%/yr vs 8.07%/yr for FAAR. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. BSMU charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

BSMU vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF (BSMU) and First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSMU achieves a 0.56% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 25.73% return.

BSMU

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 0.56%
• 6M: 0.90%
• 1Y: 5.50%
• 3Y*: 3.02%
• 5Y*: -0.68%
• 10Y*: —

FAAR

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: 25.73%
• 6M: 23.17%
• 1Y: 40.73%
• 3Y*: 11.79%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 5.17%

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

BSMU vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BSMU Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF	0.56%	4.35%	-0.29%	6.31%	-13.76%	1.88%	4.10%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	25.73%	8.07%	5.97%	-5.63%	10.15%	12.34%	6.50%

Correlation

The correlation between BSMU and FAAR is -0.26, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2020	-0.06

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between BSMU and FAAR has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.06 to -0.26, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

BSMU vs. FAAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BSMU	FAAR
Financial Services	1.2%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BSMU vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSMU

BSMU Risk / Return Rank: 72
BSMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BSMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BSMU Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BSMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
BSMU Martin Ratio Rank: 50

FAAR

FAAR Risk / Return Rank: 90
FAAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FAAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FAAR Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FAAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FAAR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

BSMU vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF (BSMU) and First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). 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.

	BSMU	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	3.04	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.96	4.23	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.52	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	8.44	-5.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.28	23.64	-15.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BSMU vs. FAAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSMU Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is comparable to the FAAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSMU and FAAR, 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

	BSMU	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	3.04	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.14	0.62	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	0.45	-0.39

Drawdowns

BSMU vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSMU drawdown since its inception was -19.48%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSMU and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSMU	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.48%	-18.03%	-1.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.06%	-4.85%	+2.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.92%	-11.54%	+5.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.48%	-18.03%	-1.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.03%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.83%	-1.11%	-3.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.20%	-7.85%	-0.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	1.73%	-1.06%

Volatility

BSMU vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF (BSMU) is 0.79%, while First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) has a volatility of 2.44%. This indicates that BSMU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSMU	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.79%	2.44%	-1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.48%	9.72%	-8.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13%	13.48%	-11.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.83%	13.02%	-8.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.85%	11.51%	-6.66%

BSMU vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSMU has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSMU vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

BSMU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, less than FAAR's 9.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSMU Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF	2.80%	2.82%	2.92%	2.66%	2.16%	1.60%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	9.15%	11.63%	3.45%	3.20%	5.82%	6.49%	3.05%	1.02%	0.58%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSMU and FAAR in my portfolio?

BSMU and FAAR have a correlation of -0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSMU or FAAR?

FAAR has higher volatility (2.44%) compared to BSMU (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSMU dropped -19.48% vs FAAR's -18.03%.

Which ETF is better, BSMU or FAAR?

On 5-year performance, FAAR leads with 8.07% vs -0.68% for BSMU. On fees, BSMU is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, BSMU has been the lower-risk option at 0.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BSMU or FAAR?

Over the 5-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 8.07% return vs -0.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BSMU or FAAR?

BSMU is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BSMU or FAAR?

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.15%, compared with 2.80% for BSMU.

What is the main difference between BSMU and FAAR?

BSMU is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for BSMU and 0.95% for FAAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.59), 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.