FIIG vs. FAAR
FIIG (First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FIIG is a Corporate Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FIIG returned 4.54% vs 26.86% for FAAR. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. FIIG charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
FIIG vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FIIG achieves a -0.20% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 20.23% return.
FIIG
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.88%
- YTD
- -0.20%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 4.54%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -4.34%
- YTD
- 20.23%
- 6M
- 19.92%
- 1Y
- 26.86%
- 3Y*
- 10.91%
- 5Y*
- 7.89%
- 10Y*
- 4.79%
FIIG vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FIIG First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF | -0.20% | 8.80% | 2.15% | 6.62% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 20.23% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -2.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between FIIG and FAAR is -0.24, 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 | -0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2023 | -0.11 |
The correlation between FIIG and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.24 (1 year) to -0.11 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FIIG vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
FIIG
FAAR
FIIG vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FIIG) 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.
| FIIG | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.35 | -0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.45 | 4.75 | -3.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.45 | 14.70 | -10.25 |
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Drawdowns
FIIG vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FIIG drawdown since its inception was -5.50%, smaller than the maximum FAAR drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIIG and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FIIG | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.50% | -18.03% | +12.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.15% | -5.68% | +2.53% |
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 | -1.15% | -5.43% | +4.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.39% | -7.82% | +6.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.02% | 1.89% | -0.87% |
Volatility
FIIG vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FIIG) is 1.24%, while First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) has a volatility of 2.47%. This indicates that FIIG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FIIG | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.24% | 2.47% | -1.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.51% | 9.68% | -6.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.63% | 13.37% | -8.74% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.89% | 12.95% | -7.06% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.89% | 11.53% | -5.64% |
FIIG vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
FIIG has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
FIIG vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
FIIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.94%, less than FAAR's 9.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.57% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% |
FIIG First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF | 4.94% | 4.76% | 4.45% | 1.72% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FIIG and FAAR have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAAR has higher volatility (2.47%) compared to FIIG (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIIG dropped -5.50% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 1-year performance, FAAR leads with 26.86% vs 4.54% for FIIG. On fees, FIIG is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FIIG has been the lower-risk option at 1.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 26.86% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FIIG is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.57%, compared with 4.94% for FIIG.
FIIG is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while FAAR is Commodities. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FIIG and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 0.99), 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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