CUT vs. FXZ

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

CUT (Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF) and FXZ (First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund) are both Materials funds - CUT tracks the Beacon Global Timber Index while FXZ tracks the StrataQuant Materials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CUT returned 4.61%/yr vs 10.25%/yr for FXZ. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. CUT charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for FXZ.

Performance

CUT vs. FXZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF (CUT) and First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CUT achieves a 2.55% return, which is significantly lower than FXZ's 18.92% return. Over the past 10 years, CUT has underperformed FXZ with an annualized return of 4.61%, while FXZ has yielded a comparatively higher 10.25% annualized return.

CUT

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 5.48%
• 6M: 0.35%
• YTD: 2.55%
• 1Y: 3.71%
• 3Y*: 0.91%
• 5Y*: -2.27%
• 10Y*: 4.61%
• ALL TIME*: 3.07%

FXZ

• 1D: -1.69%
• 1M: -2.68%
• 6M: 7.26%
• YTD: 18.92%
• 1Y: 38.67%
• 3Y*: 5.94%
• 5Y*: 7.59%
• 10Y*: 10.25%
• ALL TIME*: 8.86%

*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)
CUT Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF	$44.52K	$39.34K	$61.87K
FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund	$3.44M	$3.68M	$4.56M

CUT vs. FXZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CUT Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF	2.55%	-5.92%	1.82%	8.65%	-16.38%	12.29%	18.05%	23.35%	-21.70%	30.41%
FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund	18.92%	16.25%	-16.31%	16.27%	-0.92%	30.84%	22.52%	21.52%	-22.62%	23.72%

Correlation

The correlation between CUT and FXZ is 0.63, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2007	0.78

The correlation between CUT and FXZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CUT vs. FXZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CUT	FXZ
Consumer Cyclical	49.2%	4.3%
Basic Materials	37.4%	72.3%
Real Estate	9.5%	-
Industrials	3.9%	23.4%
Financial Services	0.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	-
Technology	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

CUT vs. FXZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CUT

CUT Risk / Return Rank: 15
CUT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
CUT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
CUT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
CUT Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
CUT Martin Ratio Rank: 13

FXZ

FXZ Risk / Return Rank: 70
FXZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
FXZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
FXZ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
FXZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
FXZ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

CUT vs. FXZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF (CUT) and First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ). 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.

	CUT	FXZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.21	1.57	-1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.45	2.23	-1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.27	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.20	2.81	-2.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.38	8.65	-8.27

CUT vs. FXZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CUT Sharpe Ratio is 0.21, which is lower than the FXZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CUT and FXZ, 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

CUT vs. FXZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CUT drawdown since its inception was -70.03%, which is greater than FXZ's maximum drawdown of -65.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CUT and FXZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CUT	FXZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.03%	-65.46%	-4.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.62%	-12.75%	-6.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.23%	-33.99%	+11.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.40%	-33.99%	+3.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.76%	-49.41%	+3.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.37%	-9.42%	-6.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.31%	-11.31%	-4.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.44%	4.13%	+6.31%

Volatility

CUT vs. FXZ - Volatility Comparison

Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF (CUT) has a higher volatility of 6.63% compared to First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) at 6.20%. This indicates that CUT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CUT	FXZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.63%	6.20%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.11%	17.54%	-2.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.10%	22.84%	-3.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.68%	24.15%	-5.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.10%	24.94%	-4.84%

CUT vs. FXZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

CUT has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than FXZ's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

CUT vs. FXZ - Dividend Comparison

CUT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.40%, more than FXZ's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CUT Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF	2.40%	2.46%	3.05%	2.44%	2.58%	1.57%	1.65%	2.67%	3.43%	1.57%	2.08%	1.52%
FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund	1.42%	1.74%	1.81%	1.97%	1.56%	1.11%	1.51%	1.58%	1.38%	1.01%	1.19%	1.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CUT and FXZ in my portfolio?

CUT and FXZ have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CUT or FXZ?

CUT has higher volatility (6.63%) compared to FXZ (6.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CUT dropped -70.03% vs FXZ's -65.46%.

Which ETF is better, CUT or FXZ?

On 10-year performance, FXZ leads with 10.25% vs 4.61% for CUT. On fees, CUT is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, FXZ has been the lower-risk option at 6.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CUT or FXZ?

Over the 10-year period, FXZ has performed better with a 10.25% return vs 4.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CUT or FXZ?

CUT is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for FXZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CUT or FXZ?

CUT has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 1.42% for FXZ.

What is the main difference between CUT and FXZ?

CUT tracks Beacon Global Timber Index, while FXZ tracks StrataQuant Materials Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for CUT and 0.67% for FXZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 0.21), 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.