FAAR vs. GLTR
FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) and GLTR (abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while GLTR is a Precious Metals fund tracking the ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index. FAAR is actively managed, while GLTR is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FAAR returned 4.91%/yr vs 12.08%/yr for GLTR. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FAAR charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GLTR.
Performance
FAAR vs. GLTR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAAR achieves a 22.65% return, which is significantly higher than GLTR's -4.66% return. Over the past 10 years, FAAR has underperformed GLTR with an annualized return of 4.91%, while GLTR has yielded a comparatively higher 12.08% annualized return.
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- -2.57%
- YTD
- 22.65%
- 6M
- 22.23%
- 1Y
- 32.75%
- 3Y*
- 11.36%
- 5Y*
- 7.51%
- 10Y*
- 4.91%
GLTR
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- -15.53%
- YTD
- -4.66%
- 6M
- 0.76%
- 1Y
- 39.78%
- 3Y*
- 29.97%
- 5Y*
- 14.04%
- 10Y*
- 12.08%
FAAR vs. GLTR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 22.65% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 5.00% |
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | -4.66% | 87.25% | 20.63% | 2.01% | -0.25% | -9.60% | 29.52% | 20.96% | -2.85% | 12.94% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAAR and GLTR is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | 0.22 |
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Return for Risk
FAAR vs. GLTR — Risk / Return Rank
FAAR
GLTR
FAAR vs. GLTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) and abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR). 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 | GLTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.40 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.22 | +0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.79 | 1.17 | +5.61 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.23 | 2.88 | +15.36 |
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Drawdowns
FAAR vs. GLTR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAAR drawdown since its inception was -18.03%, smaller than the maximum GLTR drawdown of -55.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAAR and GLTR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FAAR | GLTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.03% | -55.70% | +37.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.85% | -34.09% | +29.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.54% | -34.09% | +22.55% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.03% | -34.09% | +16.06% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.03% | -34.09% | +16.06% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.52% | -31.27% | +27.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.83% | -28.82% | +20.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.80% | 13.86% | -12.06% |
Volatility
FAAR vs. GLTR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) is 2.28%, while abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) has a volatility of 10.43%. This indicates that FAAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FAAR | GLTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.28% | 10.43% | -8.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.69% | 36.24% | -26.55% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.49% | 38.40% | -24.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.02% | 23.87% | -10.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.52% | 20.64% | -9.12% |
FAAR vs. GLTR - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAAR has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than GLTR's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAAR vs. GLTR - Dividend Comparison
FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.38%, while GLTR has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.38% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% |
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAAR and GLTR have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLTR has higher volatility (10.43%) compared to FAAR (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAAR dropped -18.03% vs GLTR's -55.70%.
On 10-year performance, GLTR leads with 12.08% vs 4.91% for FAAR. On fees, GLTR is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLTR has performed better with a 12.08% return vs 4.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLTR is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.38%, compared with 0.00% for GLTR.
FAAR is categorized as Commodities, while GLTR is Precious Metals. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FAAR and 0.60% for GLTR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.04), 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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