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 7.89%/yr vs 8.18%/yr for COM. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FAAR charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for COM.
Performance
FAAR vs. COM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAAR achieves a 20.23% return, which is significantly higher than COM's 12.48% return.
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -4.34%
- YTD
- 20.23%
- 6M
- 19.92%
- 1Y
- 26.86%
- 3Y*
- 10.91%
- 5Y*
- 7.89%
- 10Y*
- 4.79%
COM
- 1D
- -0.24%
- 1M
- -3.92%
- YTD
- 12.48%
- 6M
- 12.53%
- 1Y
- 18.69%
- 3Y*
- 6.70%
- 5Y*
- 8.18%
- 10Y*
- —
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 | 20.23% | 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 | 12.48% | 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 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2017 | 0.46 |
Over the past year, FAAR and COM have become more correlated (0.70) than their long-term average of 0.46, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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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 | +0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.33 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.75 | 2.76 | +1.99 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.70 | 9.09 | +5.60 |
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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.
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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 | -5.68% | -6.81% | +1.13% |
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 | -5.43% | -6.61% | +1.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.82% | -6.28% | -1.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.89% | 2.10% | -0.21% |
Volatility
FAAR vs. COM - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) has a higher volatility of 2.47% compared to Direxion Auspice Broad Commodity Strategy ETF (COM) at 2.13%. This indicates that FAAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FAAR | COM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.47% | 2.13% | +0.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.68% | 8.54% | +1.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.37% | 10.54% | +2.83% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.95% | 9.53% | +3.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.53% | 9.76% | +1.77% |
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 9.57%, 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 | 9.57% | 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 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAAR has higher volatility (2.47%) compared to COM (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAAR dropped -18.03% vs COM's -15.95%.
On 5-year performance, COM leads with 8.18% vs 7.89% for FAAR. On fees, COM is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, COM has been the lower-risk option at 2.13%. 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 8.18% return vs 7.89%. 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 9.57%, 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.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.79), 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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