FIAX vs. UCON

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FIAX (Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF) and UCON (First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF) are both Nontraditional Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FIAX returned 3.47%/yr vs 5.71%/yr for UCON. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FIAX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for UCON.

Performance

FIAX vs. UCON - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). 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 UCON's 0.74% return.

FIAX

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

UCON

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 0.74%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 5.33%
• 3Y*: 5.71%
• 5Y*: 2.79%
• 10Y*: —

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

FIAX vs. UCON - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FIAX Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF	1.25%	2.33%	4.67%	3.44%	-0.30%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	0.74%	7.00%	4.69%	7.72%	0.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FIAX and UCON is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2022	0.32

The correlation between FIAX and UCON shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (all time) to 0.48 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FIAX vs. UCON - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FIAX	UCON
Technology	35.6%	-
Financial Services	11.8%	-
Communication Services	11.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.4%	100.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

FIAX vs. UCON — 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

UCON

UCON Risk / Return Rank: 52
UCON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
UCON Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
UCON Omega Ratio Rank: 56
UCON Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
UCON Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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. UCON - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). 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	UCON	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	1.80	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	2.57	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.34	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	2.18	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.98	8.47	-1.50
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. UCON - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is lower than the UCON Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIAX and UCON, 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	UCON	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	1.80	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.72	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.64	+0.17

Drawdowns

FIAX vs. UCON - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIAX drawdown since its inception was -6.26%, smaller than the maximum UCON drawdown of -15.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIAX and UCON.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIAX	UCON	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.26%	-15.31%	+9.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.40%	-2.45%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.26%	-2.85%	-3.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.45%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.85%	-1.48%	+0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	0.63%	+0.03%

Volatility

FIAX vs. UCON - Volatility Comparison

Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX) has a higher volatility of 1.42% compared to First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) at 1.14%. This indicates that FIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UCON based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FIAX	UCON	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.42%	1.14%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.40%	2.33%	+1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.14%	2.98%	+1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.04%	3.89%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.04%	5.89%	-1.85%

FIAX vs. UCON - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIAX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than UCON's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

FIAX vs. UCON - Dividend Comparison

FIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.19%, more than UCON's 4.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FIAX Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF	8.19%	8.17%	8.11%	4.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	4.66%	4.63%	4.95%	4.75%	3.12%	2.20%	3.14%	3.25%	1.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FIAX and UCON in my portfolio?

FIAX and UCON have a correlation of 0.48, 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 UCON?

FIAX has higher volatility (1.42%) compared to UCON (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIAX dropped -6.26% vs UCON's -15.31%.

Which ETF is better, FIAX or UCON?

On 3-year performance, UCON leads with 5.71% vs 3.47% for FIAX. On fees, UCON is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, UCON has been the lower-risk option at 1.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FIAX or UCON?

Over the 3-year period, UCON has performed better with a 5.71% return vs 3.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FIAX or UCON?

UCON is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for FIAX.

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

FIAX has the higher dividend yield at 8.19%, compared with 4.66% for UCON.

What is the main difference between FIAX and UCON?

They also come from different issuers: Nicholas and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for FIAX and 0.86% for UCON.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UCON currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 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.