FAAR vs. VGLT
FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) and VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. FAAR is actively managed, while VGLT is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FAAR returned 4.91%/yr vs -1.21%/yr for VGLT. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions. FAAR charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGLT.
Performance
FAAR vs. VGLT - 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 VGLT's 0.03% return. Over the past 10 years, FAAR has outperformed VGLT with an annualized return of 4.91%, while VGLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.21% 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%
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 1.30%
- YTD
- 0.03%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 3.29%
- 3Y*
- -0.30%
- 5Y*
- -5.52%
- 10Y*
- -1.21%
FAAR vs. VGLT - 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% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAAR and VGLT 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 | -0.13 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | -0.09 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between FAAR and VGLT has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.09 to -0.30, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
FAAR vs. VGLT — Risk / Return Rank
FAAR
VGLT
FAAR vs. VGLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) and Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT). 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 | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.07 | +0.35 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.79 | 0.47 | +6.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.23 | 1.19 | +17.04 |
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Drawdowns
FAAR vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAAR drawdown since its inception was -18.03%, smaller than the maximum VGLT drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAAR and VGLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FAAR | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.03% | -46.18% | +28.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.85% | -7.01% | +2.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.54% | -17.68% | +6.14% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.03% | -40.98% | +22.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.03% | -46.18% | +28.15% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.52% | -36.55% | +33.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.83% | -15.09% | +7.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.80% | 2.78% | -0.98% |
Volatility
FAAR vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) is 2.28%, while Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a volatility of 2.69%. This indicates that FAAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FAAR | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.28% | 2.69% | -0.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.69% | 6.09% | +3.60% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.49% | 8.78% | +4.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.02% | 14.57% | -1.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.52% | 13.82% | -2.30% |
FAAR vs. VGLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAAR has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VGLT's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAAR vs. VGLT - Dividend Comparison
FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.38%, more than VGLT's 4.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.59% | 4.44% | 4.33% | 3.33% | 2.84% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.46% | 2.71% | 2.55% | 2.69% | 3.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAAR and VGLT 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.
VGLT has higher volatility (2.69%) compared to FAAR (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAAR dropped -18.03% vs VGLT's -46.18%.
On 10-year performance, FAAR leads with 4.91% vs -1.21% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% 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, FAAR has performed better with a 4.91% return vs -1.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.38%, compared with 4.59% for VGLT.
FAAR is categorized as Commodities, while VGLT is Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FAAR and 0.03% for VGLT.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 0.38), 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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