FAAR vs. FCSH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) and FCSH (Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while FCSH is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Federated. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FAAR returned 11.79%/yr vs 5.11%/yr for FCSH. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. FAAR charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for FCSH.

Performance

FAAR vs. FCSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) and Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF (FCSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAAR achieves a 25.73% return, which is significantly higher than FCSH's 0.67% return.

FAAR

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: 25.73%
• 6M: 23.17%
• 1Y: 40.73%
• 3Y*: 11.79%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 5.17%

FCSH

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 0.67%
• 6M: 0.92%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: 5.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FAAR vs. FCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	25.73%	8.07%	5.97%	-5.63%	10.15%	1.41%
FCSH Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF	0.67%	6.42%	4.66%	5.45%	-5.87%	0.24%

Correlation

The correlation between FAAR and FCSH is -0.30, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2021	-0.06

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between FAAR and FCSH has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.06 to -0.30, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

FAAR vs. FCSH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FAAR	FCSH
Financial Services	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FAAR vs. FCSH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FAAR

FAAR Risk / Return Rank: 90
FAAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FAAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FAAR Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FAAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FAAR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

FCSH

FCSH Risk / Return Rank: 71
FCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
FCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 68

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FAAR vs. FCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) and Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF (FCSH). 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.

	FAAR	FCSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.04	2.21	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.23	3.45	+0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.44	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.44	3.48	+4.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.64	12.31	+11.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAAR vs. FCSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAAR Sharpe Ratio is 3.04, which is higher than the FCSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAAR and FCSH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FAAR	FCSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.04	2.21	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.86	-0.41

Drawdowns

FAAR vs. FCSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAAR drawdown since its inception was -18.03%, which is greater than FCSH's maximum drawdown of -8.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAAR and FCSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAAR	FCSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.03%	-8.47%	-9.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.85%	-1.24%	-3.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.54%	-1.32%	-10.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.03%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.03%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-0.47%	-0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.85%	-2.21%	-5.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	0.35%	+1.38%

Volatility

FAAR vs. FCSH - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) has a higher volatility of 2.44% compared to Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF (FCSH) at 0.60%. This indicates that FAAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FCSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAAR	FCSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.44%	0.60%	+1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.72%	1.53%	+8.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.48%	1.95%	+11.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.02%	2.89%	+10.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.51%	2.89%	+8.62%

FAAR vs. FCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAAR has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than FCSH's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAAR vs. FCSH - Dividend Comparison

FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.15%, more than FCSH's 4.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	9.15%	11.63%	3.45%	3.20%	5.82%	6.49%	3.05%	1.02%	0.58%	2.83%
FCSH Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF	4.08%	4.14%	4.44%	2.31%	1.76%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAAR and FCSH in my portfolio?

FAAR and FCSH have a correlation of -0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAAR or FCSH?

FAAR has higher volatility (2.44%) compared to FCSH (0.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAAR dropped -18.03% vs FCSH's -8.47%.

Which ETF is better, FAAR or FCSH?

On 3-year performance, FAAR leads with 11.79% vs 5.11% for FCSH. On fees, FCSH is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, FCSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAAR or FCSH?

Over the 3-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 11.79% return vs 5.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAAR or FCSH?

FCSH is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FAAR or FCSH?

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.15%, compared with 4.08% for FCSH.

What is the main difference between FAAR and FCSH?

FAAR is categorized as Commodities, while FCSH is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Federated. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FAAR and 0.30% for FCSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.21), 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.