CARZ vs. RTH

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

CARZ (First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund) and RTH (VanEck Retail ETF) are both Consumer Discretionary Equities funds - CARZ tracks the NASDAQ OMX Global Automobile (TR) while RTH tracks the MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CARZ returned 14.32%/yr vs 14.09%/yr for RTH. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. CARZ charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for RTH.

Performance

CARZ vs. RTH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) and VanEck Retail ETF (RTH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CARZ achieves a 31.11% return, which is significantly higher than RTH's 7.50% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CARZ having a 14.32% annualized return and RTH not far behind at 14.09%.

CARZ

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: -7.17%
• 6M: 20.80%
• YTD: 31.11%
• 1Y: 66.56%
• 3Y*: 22.13%
• 5Y*: 12.78%
• 10Y*: 14.32%
• ALL TIME*: 10.15%

RTH

• 1D: 2.96%
• 1M: 3.43%
• 6M: 2.95%
• YTD: 7.50%
• 1Y: 13.69%
• 3Y*: 15.58%
• 5Y*: 9.75%
• 10Y*: 14.09%
• ALL TIME*: 9.86%

*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)
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund	$535.60K	$505.64K	$494.01K
RTH VanEck Retail ETF	$1.33M	$1.20M	$1.33M

CARZ vs. RTH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund	31.11%	37.18%	3.26%	42.47%	-31.25%	18.09%	54.66%	11.39%	-23.91%	25.47%
RTH VanEck Retail ETF	7.50%	12.36%	20.02%	20.07%	-17.67%	24.94%	31.62%	29.06%	3.87%	22.45%

Correlation

The correlation between CARZ and RTH is 0.21, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2011	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between CARZ and RTH has dropped to 0.21 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

CARZ vs. RTH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CARZ	RTH
Technology	69.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	16.3%	53.8%
Industrials	6.4%	3.0%
Basic Materials	4.2%	-
Communication Services	4.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	28.2%
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	15.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

CARZ vs. RTH — Risk / Return Rank

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

CARZ

CARZ Risk / Return Rank: 81
CARZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
CARZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
CARZ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
CARZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
CARZ Martin Ratio Rank: 82

RTH

RTH Risk / Return Rank: 39
RTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
RTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
RTH Omega Ratio Rank: 35
RTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
RTH Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

CARZ vs. RTH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) and VanEck Retail ETF (RTH). 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.

	CARZ	RTH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	0.93	+1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	1.46	+1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.17	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	1.57	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	4.34	+6.60

CARZ vs. RTH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CARZ Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the RTH Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CARZ and RTH, 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

CARZ vs. RTH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CARZ drawdown since its inception was -51.20%, which is greater than RTH's maximum drawdown of -42.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CARZ and RTH.

Drawdown Indicators

	CARZ	RTH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.20%	-42.32%	-8.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.44%	-7.83%	-13.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.84%	-13.80%	-14.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.30%	-25.00%	-15.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.20%	-25.00%	-26.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.07%	-0.65%	-16.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.87%	-7.32%	-5.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.83%	2.83%	+3.00%

Volatility

CARZ vs. RTH - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) has a higher volatility of 12.06% compared to VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) at 5.18%. This indicates that CARZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RTH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CARZ	RTH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.06%	5.18%	+6.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.80%	10.54%	+17.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.88%	13.28%	+18.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.28%	16.96%	+12.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.77%	17.62%	+9.15%

CARZ vs. RTH - Expense Ratio Comparison

CARZ has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than RTH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

CARZ vs. RTH - Dividend Comparison

CARZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%, more than RTH's 0.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund	1.34%	2.13%	1.17%	1.40%	1.59%	2.25%	0.63%	3.23%	2.85%	2.11%	2.47%	1.64%
RTH VanEck Retail ETF	0.90%	0.97%	0.77%	1.07%	1.16%	0.78%	0.64%	0.91%	1.05%	1.56%	1.84%	2.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CARZ and RTH in my portfolio?

CARZ and RTH have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CARZ or RTH?

CARZ has higher volatility (12.06%) compared to RTH (5.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CARZ dropped -51.20% vs RTH's -42.32%.

Which ETF is better, CARZ or RTH?

On 10-year performance, CARZ leads with 14.32% vs 14.09% for RTH. On fees, RTH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, RTH has been the lower-risk option at 5.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CARZ or RTH?

Over the 10-year period, CARZ has performed better with a 14.32% return vs 14.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CARZ or RTH?

RTH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for CARZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CARZ or RTH?

CARZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.34%, compared with 0.90% for RTH.

What is the main difference between CARZ and RTH?

CARZ tracks NASDAQ OMX Global Automobile (TR), while RTH tracks MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for CARZ and 0.35% for RTH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CARZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 0.93), 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.