EQL vs. RFCI
EQL (ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF) and RFCI (RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EQL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index, while RFCI is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by SS&C. EQL is passively managed, while RFCI is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, EQL returned 10.49%/yr vs 1.22%/yr for RFCI. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EQL charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.54%/yr for RFCI.
Performance
EQL vs. RFCI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EQL achieves a 8.83% return, which is significantly higher than RFCI's 0.13% return.
EQL
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- 0.96%
- YTD
- 8.83%
- 6M
- 9.12%
- 1Y
- 18.80%
- 3Y*
- 16.48%
- 5Y*
- 10.49%
- 10Y*
- 12.47%
RFCI
- 1D
- -0.30%
- 1M
- 0.47%
- YTD
- 0.13%
- 6M
- 0.05%
- 1Y
- 4.60%
- 3Y*
- 4.55%
- 5Y*
- 1.22%
- 10Y*
- —
EQL vs. RFCI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | 8.83% | 13.09% | 16.44% | 16.87% | -10.72% | 29.32% | 10.87% | 27.87% | -6.12% | 18.37% |
RFCI RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | 0.13% | 6.85% | 2.64% | 5.97% | -9.27% | -1.48% | 6.48% | 8.69% | -1.30% | 3.14% |
Correlation
The correlation between EQL and RFCI is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2016 | 0.12 |
Over the past year, EQL and RFCI have become more correlated (0.35) than their long-term average of 0.12, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
EQL vs. RFCI — Risk / Return Rank
EQL
RFCI
EQL vs. RFCI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) and RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF (RFCI). 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.
| EQL | RFCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.23 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.05 | 1.74 | +1.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.93 | 5.23 | +6.70 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| EQL | RFCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.02 | 1.31 | +0.71 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 | 0.24 | +0.49 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.76 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.85 | 0.42 | +0.43 |
Drawdowns
EQL vs. RFCI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EQL drawdown since its inception was -35.65%, which is greater than RFCI's maximum drawdown of -14.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EQL and RFCI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EQL | RFCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.65% | -14.18% | -21.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.19% | -2.65% | -3.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.07% | -5.10% | -9.97% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.24% | -13.46% | -5.78% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.65% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.00% | -1.38% | +0.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.26% | -3.23% | -0.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.58% | 0.88% | +0.70% |
Volatility
EQL vs. RFCI - Volatility Comparison
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) has a higher volatility of 2.21% compared to RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF (RFCI) at 1.29%. This indicates that EQL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFCI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EQL | RFCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.21% | 1.29% | +0.92% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.82% | 2.70% | +4.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.34% | 3.53% | +5.81% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.55% | 5.13% | +9.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.54% | 4.95% | +11.59% |
EQL vs. RFCI - Expense Ratio Comparison
EQL has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is lower than RFCI's 0.54% expense ratio.
Dividends
EQL vs. RFCI - Dividend Comparison
EQL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, less than RFCI's 4.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | 1.62% | 1.73% | 1.78% | 1.96% | 2.14% | 1.69% | 2.29% | 1.95% | 2.39% | 1.97% | 2.89% | 2.07% |
RFCI RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | 4.54% | 4.55% | 4.30% | 3.55% | 2.26% | 3.45% | 2.04% | 2.66% | 2.76% | 2.03% | 1.97% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EQL and RFCI have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EQL has higher volatility (2.21%) compared to RFCI (1.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EQL dropped -35.65% vs RFCI's -14.18%.
On 5-year performance, EQL leads with 10.49% vs 1.22% for RFCI. On fees, EQL is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, RFCI has been the lower-risk option at 1.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, EQL has performed better with a 10.49% return vs 1.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EQL is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.54% for RFCI.
RFCI has the higher dividend yield at 4.54%, compared with 1.62% for EQL.
EQL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while RFCI is Multisector Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for EQL and 0.54% for RFCI.
EQL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.31), 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.
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