COMT vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

COMT (iShares Commodities Select Strategy ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both Commodities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, COMT returned 9.09%/yr vs 5.17%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. COMT charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

COMT vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Commodities Select Strategy ETF (COMT) 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, COMT achieves a 39.67% return, which is significantly higher than FAAR's 25.73% return. Over the past 10 years, COMT has outperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 9.09%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively lower 5.17% annualized return.

COMT

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: -4.35%
• YTD: 39.67%
• 6M: 39.06%
• 1Y: 47.51%
• 3Y*: 16.86%
• 5Y*: 13.50%
• 10Y*: 9.09%

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)

COMT vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COMT iShares Commodities Select Strategy ETF	39.67%	6.07%	5.96%	-6.56%	19.45%	36.88%	-18.66%	10.81%	-6.67%	11.70%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	25.73%	8.07%	5.97%	-5.63%	10.15%	12.34%	8.60%	-1.28%	-9.17%	5.00%

Correlation

The correlation between COMT and FAAR is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2016	0.49

Over the past year, COMT and FAAR have become more correlated (0.79) than their long-term average of 0.49, meaning their price movements have been converging.

COMT vs. FAAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

COMT vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

COMT

COMT Risk / Return Rank: 71
COMT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
COMT Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
COMT Omega Ratio Rank: 64
COMT Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
COMT Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

COMT vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Commodities Select Strategy ETF (COMT) 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.

	COMT	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	3.04	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	4.23	-1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.52	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.95	8.44	-2.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.11	23.64	-9.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COMT vs. FAAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COMT Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the FAAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COMT 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

	COMT	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24	3.04	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.62	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.45	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.45	-0.24

Drawdowns

COMT vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COMT drawdown since its inception was -51.89%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COMT and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	COMT	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.89%	-18.03%	-33.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.02%	-4.85%	-3.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.31%	-11.54%	-1.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.00%	-18.03%	-10.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.22%	-18.03%	-21.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.82%	-1.11%	-3.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.07%	-7.85%	-16.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	1.73%	+1.65%

Volatility

COMT vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison

iShares Commodities Select Strategy ETF (COMT) has a higher volatility of 7.37% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.44%. This indicates that COMT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COMT	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.37%	2.44%	+4.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.80%	9.72%	+9.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.29%	13.48%	+7.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.06%	13.02%	+8.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.89%	11.51%	+7.38%

COMT vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

COMT has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

COMT vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

COMT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.54%, less than FAAR's 9.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COMT iShares Commodities Select Strategy ETF	5.54%	7.74%	4.90%	5.19%	29.79%	17.79%	0.36%	2.61%	11.65%	5.16%	0.52%	1.44%
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%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COMT and FAAR in my portfolio?

COMT and FAAR have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COMT or FAAR?

COMT has higher volatility (7.37%) compared to FAAR (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COMT dropped -51.89% vs FAAR's -18.03%.

Which ETF is better, COMT or FAAR?

On 10-year performance, COMT leads with 9.09% vs 5.17% for FAAR. On fees, COMT is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COMT or FAAR?

Over the 10-year period, COMT has performed better with a 9.09% return vs 5.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COMT or FAAR?

COMT is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.

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

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.15%, compared with 5.54% for COMT.

What is the main difference between COMT and FAAR?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for COMT and 0.95% for FAAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.24), 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.