EDOG vs. RFDA

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

EDOG (ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) and RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EDOG is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S-Network Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index, while RFDA is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by SS&C. EDOG is passively managed, while RFDA is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, EDOG returned 5.60%/yr vs 13.34%/yr for RFDA. Their 0.56 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EDOG charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for RFDA.

Performance

EDOG vs. RFDA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EDOG achieves a 5.43% return, which is significantly lower than RFDA's 15.03% return. Over the past 10 years, EDOG has underperformed RFDA with an annualized return of 5.60%, while RFDA has yielded a comparatively higher 13.34% annualized return.

EDOG

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 4.60%
• 6M: -1.86%
• YTD: 5.43%
• 1Y: 17.86%
• 3Y*: 10.16%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 5.60%
• ALL TIME*: 4.44%

RFDA

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 2.46%
• 6M: 12.74%
• YTD: 15.03%
• 1Y: 27.34%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 13.00%
• 10Y*: 13.34%
• ALL TIME*: 13.46%

*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)
EDOG ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	$66.37K	$47.05K	$56.13K
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	$108.91K	$106.06K	$119.38K

EDOG vs. RFDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EDOG ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	5.43%	22.59%	1.70%	11.58%	-10.50%	11.71%	7.99%	13.26%	-16.52%	20.42%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	15.03%	16.42%	20.12%	16.98%	-8.58%	25.94%	11.26%	27.15%	-9.27%	19.86%

Correlation

The correlation between EDOG and RFDA is 0.48, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 7, 2016	0.56

The correlation between EDOG and RFDA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

EDOG vs. RFDA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EDOG	RFDA
Energy	13.5%	11.1%
Industrials	11.6%	9.3%
Healthcare	10.8%	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	10.3%	7.1%
Communication Services	9.8%	6.2%
Technology	9.8%	15.4%
Basic Materials	9.7%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	8.1%
Utilities	8.1%	4.9%
Financial Services	8.0%	18.8%
Real Estate	-	5.1%

Return for Risk

EDOG vs. RFDA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EDOG

EDOG Risk / Return Rank: 42
EDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
EDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
EDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
EDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
EDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 36

RFDA

RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 91
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 90
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

EDOG vs. RFDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). 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.

	EDOG	RFDA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	2.36	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.61	3.23	-1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.43	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	5.04	-3.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.64	18.04	-14.39

EDOG vs. RFDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EDOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is lower than the RFDA Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EDOG and RFDA, 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

EDOG vs. RFDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EDOG drawdown since its inception was -44.29%, which is greater than RFDA's maximum drawdown of -34.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EDOG and RFDA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EDOG	RFDA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.29%	-34.60%	-9.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.73%	-5.45%	-5.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.29%	-19.35%	+4.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.54%	-19.35%	-7.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.29%	-34.60%	-9.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.17%	-0.06%	-6.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.18%	-3.70%	-7.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.91%	1.52%	+3.39%

Volatility

EDOG vs. RFDA - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG) has a higher volatility of 3.19% compared to RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) at 2.90%. This indicates that EDOG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EDOG	RFDA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.19%	2.90%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.03%	8.68%	+5.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.03%	11.67%	+4.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.40%	15.73%	-0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.36%	16.84%	+0.52%

EDOG vs. RFDA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EDOG has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than RFDA's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

EDOG vs. RFDA - Dividend Comparison

EDOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.88%, more than RFDA's 1.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EDOG ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	4.88%	4.50%	6.55%	6.53%	5.07%	4.11%	2.60%	4.93%	5.37%	2.89%	2.97%	4.55%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	1.76%	1.89%	2.23%	2.68%	3.57%	1.44%	1.62%	1.87%	2.44%	1.90%	0.98%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EDOG and RFDA in my portfolio?

EDOG and RFDA have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EDOG or RFDA?

EDOG has higher volatility (3.19%) compared to RFDA (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EDOG dropped -44.29% vs RFDA's -34.60%.

Which ETF is better, EDOG or RFDA?

On 10-year performance, RFDA leads with 13.34% vs 5.60% for EDOG. On fees, RFDA is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, RFDA has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EDOG or RFDA?

Over the 10-year period, RFDA has performed better with a 13.34% return vs 5.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EDOG or RFDA?

RFDA is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for EDOG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EDOG or RFDA?

EDOG has the higher dividend yield at 4.88%, compared with 1.76% for RFDA.

What is the main difference between EDOG and RFDA?

EDOG is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while RFDA is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for EDOG and 0.52% for RFDA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.12), 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.