BTOT vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BTOT (iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BTOT is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg US Total Fixed Income Market Index, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. BTOT is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. At a correlation of -0.43, they often move in opposite directions. BTOT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

BTOT vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF (BTOT) 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, BTOT achieves a 0.39% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 25.73% return.

BTOT

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 0.39%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

BTOT vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BTOT iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF	0.39%	0.31%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	25.73%	-1.11%

Correlation

The correlation between BTOT and FAAR is -0.43, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2025	-0.43

Return for Risk

BTOT vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

BTOT vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF (BTOT) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BTOT	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.45	-0.04

Drawdowns

BTOT vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BTOT drawdown since its inception was -2.36%, smaller than the maximum FAAR drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTOT and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BTOT	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.36%	-18.03%	+15.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-4.85%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.54%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.03%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-1.11%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.77%	-7.85%	+7.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.73%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BTOT	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.44%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.72%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.70%	13.48%	-9.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.70%	13.02%	-9.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.70%	11.51%	-7.81%

BTOT vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BTOT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

BTOT vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

BTOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.13%, less than FAAR's 9.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BTOT iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF	2.13%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 BTOT and FAAR in my portfolio?

BTOT and FAAR have a correlation of -0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BTOT or FAAR?

On fees, BTOT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BTOT or FAAR?

BTOT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.

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

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.15%, compared with 2.13% for BTOT.

What is the main difference between BTOT and FAAR?

BTOT is categorized as Total Bond Market, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for BTOT and 0.95% for FAAR.