FGSI vs. FAAR
FGSI (First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FGSI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by First Trust, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FGSI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
FGSI vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FGSI achieves a 3.41% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 19.14% return.
FGSI
- 1D
- -0.64%
- 1M
- -0.33%
- YTD
- 3.41%
- 6M
- 2.29%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.91%
- 1M
- -5.21%
- YTD
- 19.14%
- 6M
- 18.06%
- 1Y
- 28.33%
- 3Y*
- 10.57%
- 5Y*
- 7.72%
- 10Y*
- 4.69%
FGSI vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FGSI First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF | 3.41% | 4.53% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 19.14% | 9.01% |
Correlation
The correlation between FGSI and FAAR is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025 | 0.01 |
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Return for Risk
FGSI vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
FGSI
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FAAR
FGSI vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF (FGSI) and First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). 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.
| FGSI | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.37 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 4.52 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 15.18 | — |
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Drawdowns
FGSI vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FGSI drawdown since its inception was -8.25%, smaller than the maximum FAAR drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGSI and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FGSI | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.25% | -18.03% | +9.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -6.29% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -11.54% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -18.03% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.03% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.98% | -6.29% | +3.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.92% | -7.82% | +5.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 1.87% | — |
Volatility
FGSI vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| FGSI | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 2.55% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 9.68% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.49% | 13.38% | -0.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.49% | 12.96% | -0.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.49% | 11.54% | +0.95% |
FGSI vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
FGSI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
FGSI vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
FGSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.69%, less than FAAR's 9.66% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.66% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% |
FGSI First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF | 7.69% | 4.20% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FGSI and FAAR have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, FGSI is cheaper at 0.85% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
FGSI is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.66%, compared with 7.69% for FGSI.
FGSI is categorized as Derivative Income, while FAAR is Commodities. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FGSI and 0.95% for FAAR.
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