BTAL vs. TAIL

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

BTAL (AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund) and TAIL (Cambria Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BTAL is a Equity Market Neutral fund actively managed by AGF, while TAIL is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund actively managed by Cambria. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BTAL returned -6.13%/yr vs -8.63%/yr for TAIL. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BTAL charges 1.40%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for TAIL.

Performance

BTAL vs. TAIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL) and Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BTAL achieves a -23.84% return, which is significantly lower than TAIL's -6.19% return.

BTAL

• 1D: -2.92%
• 1M: -10.46%
• YTD: -23.84%
• 6M: -22.94%
• 1Y: -38.64%
• 3Y*: -13.54%
• 5Y*: -6.13%
• 10Y*: -5.40%

TAIL

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: -6.19%
• 6M: -6.44%
• 1Y: -9.35%
• 3Y*: -5.23%
• 5Y*: -8.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

BTAL vs. TAIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BTAL AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund	-23.84%	-20.17%	12.83%	-15.11%	20.48%	-6.81%	-13.86%	1.07%	15.13%	-3.89%
TAIL Cambria Tail Risk ETF	-6.19%	5.48%	-9.62%	-13.29%	-13.13%	-12.81%	6.91%	-14.27%	2.85%	-7.55%

Correlation

The correlation between BTAL and TAIL is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2017	0.43

The correlation between BTAL and TAIL shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (3 years) to 0.48 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BTAL vs. TAIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BTAL

BTAL Risk / Return Rank: 0
BTAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
BTAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
BTAL Omega Ratio Rank: 0
BTAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
BTAL Martin Ratio Rank: 0

TAIL

TAIL Risk / Return Rank: 1
TAIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
TAIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
TAIL Omega Ratio Rank: 1
TAIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
TAIL Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

BTAL vs. TAIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL) and Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL). 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.

	BTAL	TAIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.70	-1.12	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.69	-1.59	-1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.72	0.82	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-1.00	-0.85	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.84	-1.93	+0.10

BTAL vs. TAIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BTAL Sharpe Ratio is -1.70, which is lower than the TAIL Sharpe Ratio of -1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BTAL and TAIL, 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

BTAL vs. TAIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BTAL drawdown since its inception was -52.53%, roughly equal to the maximum TAIL drawdown of -52.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTAL and TAIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BTAL	TAIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.53%	-52.36%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.64%	-11.03%	-27.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-47.64%	-20.73%	-26.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.64%	-38.44%	-9.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-52.53%	-51.57%	-0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.04%	-29.21%	+7.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.94%	4.85%	+16.09%

Volatility

BTAL vs. TAIL - Volatility Comparison

AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL) has a higher volatility of 8.68% compared to Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL) at 1.59%. This indicates that BTAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TAIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BTAL	TAIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.68%	1.59%	+7.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.70%	6.59%	+10.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.64%	8.41%	+14.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.05%	14.89%	+4.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.38%	14.91%	+2.47%

BTAL vs. TAIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BTAL has a 1.40% expense ratio, which is higher than TAIL's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

BTAL vs. TAIL - Dividend Comparison

BTAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.27%, more than TAIL's 2.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BTAL AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund	3.27%	2.49%	3.49%	6.14%	1.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.88%	0.39%	0.00%
TAIL Cambria Tail Risk ETF	2.92%	2.88%	3.48%	3.74%	1.50%	0.49%	0.36%	1.58%	1.52%	0.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BTAL and TAIL in my portfolio?

BTAL and TAIL have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BTAL or TAIL?

BTAL has higher volatility (8.68%) compared to TAIL (1.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BTAL dropped -52.53% vs TAIL's -52.36%.

Which ETF is better, BTAL or TAIL?

On 5-year performance, BTAL leads with -6.13% vs -8.63% for TAIL. On fees, TAIL is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, TAIL has been the lower-risk option at 1.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BTAL or TAIL?

Over the 5-year period, BTAL has performed better with a -6.13% return vs -8.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BTAL or TAIL?

TAIL is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 1.40% for BTAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BTAL or TAIL?

BTAL has the higher dividend yield at 3.27%, compared with 2.92% for TAIL.

What is the main difference between BTAL and TAIL?

BTAL is categorized as Equity Market Neutral, while TAIL is Volatility Hedged Equity. They also come from different issuers: AGF and Cambria. Their fees differ too: 1.40% for BTAL and 0.59% for TAIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TAIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-1.12 vs -1.70), 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.