CRED vs. UCON

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CRED (Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF) and UCON (First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CRED is a REIT fund tracking the Beta Advantage Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while UCON is a Nontraditional Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. CRED is passively managed, while UCON is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, CRED returned 8.96%/yr vs 5.77%/yr for UCON. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CRED charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for UCON.

Performance

CRED vs. UCON - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (CRED) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CRED achieves a 12.55% return, which is significantly higher than UCON's 0.83% return.

CRED

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 12.55%
• 6M: 13.12%
• 1Y: 9.04%
• 3Y*: 8.96%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UCON

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.07%
• 1Y: 5.80%
• 3Y*: 5.77%
• 5Y*: 2.82%
• 10Y*: —

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

CRED vs. UCON - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CRED Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF	12.55%	-2.30%	5.21%	13.18%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	0.83%	7.00%	4.69%	4.45%

Correlation

The correlation between CRED and UCON is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2023	0.39

CRED vs. UCON - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CRED	UCON
Real Estate	99.3%	-
Financial Services	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

CRED vs. UCON — Risk / Return Rank

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

CRED

CRED Risk / Return Rank: 21
CRED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
CRED Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
CRED Omega Ratio Rank: 20
CRED Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
CRED Martin Ratio Rank: 20

UCON

UCON Risk / Return Rank: 55
UCON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
UCON Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
UCON Omega Ratio Rank: 60
UCON Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
UCON Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

CRED vs. UCON - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (CRED) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). 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.

	CRED	UCON	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	1.96	-1.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	2.81	-1.78
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.37	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.08	2.29	-1.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.45	8.94	-6.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CRED vs. UCON - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CRED Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the UCON Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CRED and UCON, 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

	CRED	UCON	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71	1.96	-1.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.64	-0.07

Drawdowns

CRED vs. UCON - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CRED drawdown since its inception was -17.59%, which is greater than UCON's maximum drawdown of -15.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CRED and UCON.

Drawdown Indicators

	CRED	UCON	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.59%	-15.31%	-2.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.32%	-2.45%	-5.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.59%	-2.85%	-14.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.19%	-0.37%	-1.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.65%	-1.48%	-4.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.67%	0.63%	+3.04%

Volatility

CRED vs. UCON - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (CRED) has a higher volatility of 3.85% compared to First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) at 1.13%. This indicates that CRED's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UCON based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CRED	UCON	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	1.13%	+2.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.43%	2.32%	+7.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.73%	2.98%	+9.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.25%	3.89%	+12.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.25%	5.89%	+10.36%

CRED vs. UCON - Expense Ratio Comparison

CRED has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than UCON's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

CRED vs. UCON - Dividend Comparison

CRED's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.52%, less than UCON's 4.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
CRED Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF	4.52%	5.50%	4.82%	2.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	4.65%	4.63%	4.95%	4.75%	3.12%	2.20%	3.14%	3.25%	1.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CRED and UCON in my portfolio?

CRED and UCON 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 is riskier, CRED or UCON?

CRED has higher volatility (3.85%) compared to UCON (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CRED dropped -17.59% vs UCON's -15.31%.

Which ETF is better, CRED or UCON?

On 3-year performance, CRED leads with 8.96% vs 5.77% for UCON. On fees, CRED is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, UCON has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CRED or UCON?

Over the 3-year period, CRED has performed better with a 8.96% return vs 5.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CRED or UCON?

CRED is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for UCON.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CRED or UCON?

UCON has the higher dividend yield at 4.65%, compared with 4.52% for CRED.

What is the main difference between CRED and UCON?

CRED is categorized as REIT, while UCON is Nontraditional Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Columbia and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for CRED and 0.86% for UCON.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UCON currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 0.71), 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.