FIAX vs. DABS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FIAX (Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF) and DABS (DoubleLine Asset-Backed Securities ETF) are both Nontraditional Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FIAX returned 4.57% vs 5.58% for DABS. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FIAX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for DABS.

Performance

FIAX vs. DABS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX) and DoubleLine Asset-Backed Securities ETF (DABS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIAX achieves a 1.25% return, which is significantly higher than DABS's 1.12% return.

FIAX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.25%
• 6M: 1.33%
• 1Y: 4.57%
• 3Y*: 3.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DABS

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 1.12%
• 6M: 1.52%
• 1Y: 5.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FIAX vs. DABS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FIAX Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF	1.25%	2.32%
DABS DoubleLine Asset-Backed Securities ETF	1.12%	5.63%

Correlation

The correlation between FIAX and DABS is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2025	0.15

The correlation between FIAX and DABS shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.27 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FIAX vs. DABS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FIAX

FIAX Risk / Return Rank: 35
FIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
FIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
FIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

DABS

DABS Risk / Return Rank: 78
DABS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DABS Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DABS Omega Ratio Rank: 79
DABS Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
DABS Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

FIAX vs. DABS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX) and DoubleLine Asset-Backed Securities ETF (DABS). 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.

	FIAX	DABS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	2.26	-1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	3.47	-1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.46	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	4.34	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.98	14.96	-7.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FIAX vs. DABS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is lower than the DABS Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIAX and DABS, 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

	FIAX	DABS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	2.26	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	2.12	-1.31

Drawdowns

FIAX vs. DABS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIAX drawdown since its inception was -6.26%, which is greater than DABS's maximum drawdown of -1.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIAX and DABS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIAX	DABS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.26%	-1.47%	-4.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.40%	-1.29%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.25%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.85%	-0.31%	-0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	0.37%	+0.29%

Volatility

FIAX vs. DABS - Volatility Comparison

Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX) has a higher volatility of 1.42% compared to DoubleLine Asset-Backed Securities ETF (DABS) at 0.75%. This indicates that FIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DABS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FIAX	DABS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.42%	0.75%	+0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.40%	1.61%	+1.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.14%	2.50%	+1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.04%	2.56%	+1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.04%	2.56%	+1.48%

FIAX vs. DABS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIAX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than DABS's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

FIAX vs. DABS - Dividend Comparison

FIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.19%, more than DABS's 4.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
DABS DoubleLine Asset-Backed Securities ETF	4.88%	3.81%	0.00%	0.00%
FIAX Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF	8.19%	8.17%	8.11%	4.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FIAX and DABS in my portfolio?

FIAX and DABS have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FIAX or DABS?

FIAX has higher volatility (1.42%) compared to DABS (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIAX dropped -6.26% vs DABS's -1.47%.

Which ETF is better, FIAX or DABS?

On 1-year performance, DABS leads with 5.58% vs 4.57% for FIAX. On fees, DABS is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, DABS has been the lower-risk option at 0.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FIAX or DABS?

Over the 1-year period, DABS has performed better with a 5.58% return vs 4.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FIAX or DABS?

DABS is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for FIAX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FIAX or DABS?

FIAX has the higher dividend yield at 8.19%, compared with 4.88% for DABS.

What is the main difference between FIAX and DABS?

They also come from different issuers: Nicholas and DoubleLine. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for FIAX and 0.40% for DABS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DABS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.11), 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.