FAAR vs. COM
FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) and COM (Direxion Auspice Broad Commodity Strategy ETF) are both Commodities funds. FAAR is actively managed, while COM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FAAR returned 6.90%/yr vs 8.21%/yr for COM. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FAAR charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for COM.
Performance
FAAR vs. COM - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FAAR having a 15.98% return and COM slightly higher at 15.99%.
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.11%
- 1M
- -0.80%
- 6M
- 6.86%
- YTD
- 15.98%
- 1Y
- 21.75%
- 3Y*
- 8.66%
- 5Y*
- 6.90%
- 10Y*
- 4.38%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.24%
COM
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 3.63%
- 6M
- 10.51%
- YTD
- 15.99%
- 1Y
- 25.72%
- 3Y*
- 7.73%
- 5Y*
- 8.21%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 7.04%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.30M | $1.76M | $5.12M | |
| $1.17M | $1.04M | $1.66M |
FAAR vs. COM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 15.98% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 3.88% |
COM Direxion Auspice Broad Commodity Strategy ETF | 15.99% | 7.72% | 5.81% | -2.09% | 9.17% | 28.00% | 6.63% | -0.18% | -0.03% | -1.97% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAAR and COM is 0.64, 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. | 0.64 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.53 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.53 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2017 | 0.46 |
The correlation between FAAR and COM shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (all time) to 0.64 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FAAR vs. COM — Risk / Return Rank
FAAR
COM
FAAR vs. COM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) and Direxion Auspice Broad Commodity Strategy ETF (COM). 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.
| FAAR | COM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.92 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.47 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.18 | 3.32 | -1.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.19 | 10.03 | -3.84 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
FAAR vs. COM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAAR drawdown since its inception was -18.03%, which is greater than COM's maximum drawdown of -15.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAAR and COM.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FAAR | COM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.03% | -15.95% | -2.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.34% | -7.63% | -1.71% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.54% | -8.50% | -3.04% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.03% | -14.02% | -4.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.03% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.77% | -3.69% | -5.08% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.83% | -6.26% | -1.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.29% | 2.53% | +0.76% |
Volatility
FAAR vs. COM - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) and Direxion Auspice Broad Commodity Strategy ETF (COM) have volatilities of 2.11% and 2.01%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FAAR | COM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.11% | 2.01% | +0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.47% | 8.07% | +1.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.74% | 10.09% | +2.65% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.87% | 9.44% | +2.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.54% | 9.73% | +1.81% |
FAAR vs. COM - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAAR has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than COM's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAAR vs. COM - Dividend Comparison
FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.87%, more than COM's 2.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
COM Direxion Auspice Broad Commodity Strategy ETF | 2.51% | 2.99% | 3.88% | 3.80% | 8.59% | 10.32% | 0.13% | 1.09% | 2.36% | 0.09% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.87% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAAR and COM have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAAR has higher volatility (2.11%) compared to COM (2.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAAR dropped -18.03% vs COM's -15.95%.
On 5-year performance, COM leads with 8.21% vs 6.90% for FAAR. On fees, COM is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, COM has been the lower-risk option at 2.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, COM has performed better with a 8.21% return vs 6.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
COM is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.87%, compared with 2.51% for COM.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FAAR and 0.70% for COM.
COM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.60), 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.
Find the right allocation for FAAR and COM
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer