FGSM vs. FARX

Last updated Apr 17, 2026

FGSM (Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF) and FARX (Frontier Asset Absolute Return ETF) are both exchange-traded funds — FGSM is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Frontier, while FARX is a Multistrategy fund actively managed by Frontier. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FGSM returned 44.14% vs 19.41% for FARX. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FGSM charges 0.90%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for FARX.

Performance

FGSM vs. FARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF (FGSM) and Frontier Asset Absolute Return ETF (FARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGSM achieves a 10.20% return, which is significantly higher than FARX's 6.99% return.

FGSM

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 6.41%
• YTD: 10.20%
• 6M: 14.74%
• 1Y: 44.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FARX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: 6.99%
• 6M: 9.04%
• 1Y: 19.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FGSM vs. FARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FGSM Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF	10.20%	21.33%	0.24%
FARX Frontier Asset Absolute Return ETF	6.99%	10.61%	0.35%

Correlation

The correlation between FGSM and FARX is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024	0.57

The correlation between FGSM and FARX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.58 — a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FGSM vs. FARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGSM

FGSM Risk / Return Rank: 81
FGSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FGSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FGSM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
FGSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
FGSM Martin Ratio Rank: 81

FARX

FARX Risk / Return Rank: 85
FARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
FARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
FARX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FARX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

FGSM vs. FARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF (FGSM) and Frontier Asset Absolute Return ETF (FARX). 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.

	FGSM	FARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	2.84	+0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.13	3.87	+0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.57	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.42	7.16	-2.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.36	25.10	-7.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FGSM vs. FARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGSM Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is comparable to the FARX Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGSM and FARX, 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

	FGSM	FARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	2.84	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.40	1.99	-0.59

Drawdowns

FGSM vs. FARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGSM drawdown since its inception was -17.72%, which is greater than FARX's maximum drawdown of -5.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGSM and FARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGSM	FARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.72%	-5.83%	-11.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.84%	-2.80%	-7.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.91%	0.00%	-0.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.35%	-1.09%	-1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	0.80%	+1.71%

Volatility

FGSM vs. FARX - Volatility Comparison

Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF (FGSM) has a higher volatility of 6.00% compared to Frontier Asset Absolute Return ETF (FARX) at 1.95%. This indicates that FGSM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FGSM	FARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.00%	1.95%	+4.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.11%	5.83%	+5.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.84%	6.90%	+7.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.09%	7.11%	+10.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.09%	7.11%	+10.98%

FGSM vs. FARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGSM has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than FARX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGSM vs. FARX - Dividend Comparison

FGSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, less than FARX's 2.96% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024
FGSM Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF	1.41%	1.56%	0.00%
FARX Frontier Asset Absolute Return ETF	2.96%	3.25%	0.19%