FTAG vs. AAUS

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

FTAG (First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF) and AAUS (Alpha Architect US Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. FTAG is passively managed, while AAUS is actively managed. Over the past year, FTAG returned 13.58% vs 23.94% for AAUS. Their 0.30 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FTAG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AAUS.

Performance

FTAG vs. AAUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) and Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FTAG having a 12.70% return and AAUS slightly lower at 12.27%.

FTAG

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: -0.09%
• 6M: 2.33%
• YTD: 12.70%
• 1Y: 13.58%
• 3Y*: 3.54%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 5.51%
• ALL TIME*: -8.03%

AAUS

• 1D: 1.85%
• 1M: 3.61%
• 6M: 11.48%
• YTD: 12.27%
• 1Y: 23.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.80%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	$2.03M	$1.33M	$545.51K
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	$83.65K	$66.15K	$180.76K

FTAG vs. AAUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	12.70%	-1.29%
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	12.27%	10.11%

Correlation

The correlation between FTAG and AAUS is 0.29, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2025	0.30

Return for Risk

FTAG vs. AAUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FTAG

FTAG Risk / Return Rank: 34
FTAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
FTAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
FTAG Omega Ratio Rank: 33
FTAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FTAG Martin Ratio Rank: 31

AAUS

AAUS Risk / Return Rank: 71
AAUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
AAUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
AAUS Omega Ratio Rank: 71
AAUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
AAUS Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FTAG vs. AAUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) and Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS). 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.

	FTAG	AAUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	1.89	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	2.61	-1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.33	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	2.63	-1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.13	10.86	-7.73

FTAG vs. AAUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTAG Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the AAUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTAG and AAUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FTAG vs. AAUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTAG drawdown since its inception was -90.89%, which is greater than AAUS's maximum drawdown of -9.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTAG and AAUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTAG	AAUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.89%	-9.13%	-81.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-9.13%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.74%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.77%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.20%	0.00%	-78.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-71.30%	-1.42%	-69.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.34%	2.21%	+2.13%

Volatility

FTAG vs. AAUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) is 3.83%, while Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) has a volatility of 4.09%. This indicates that FTAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTAG	AAUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	4.09%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.27%	10.02%	+1.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.30%	12.88%	+1.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	12.90%	+4.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.45%	12.90%	+6.55%

FTAG vs. AAUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTAG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than AAUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTAG vs. AAUS - Dividend Comparison

FTAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%, more than AAUS's 0.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	0.33%	0.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	1.29%	1.39%	2.89%	3.68%	1.77%	1.58%	1.72%	2.33%	2.16%	1.26%	0.61%	1.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTAG and AAUS in my portfolio?

FTAG and AAUS have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTAG or AAUS?

AAUS has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to FTAG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTAG dropped -90.89% vs AAUS's -9.13%.

Which ETF is better, FTAG or AAUS?

On 1-year performance, AAUS leads with 23.94% vs 13.58% for FTAG. On fees, AAUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, FTAG has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTAG or AAUS?

Over the 1-year period, AAUS has performed better with a 23.94% return vs 13.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTAG or AAUS?

AAUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTAG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTAG or AAUS?

FTAG has the higher dividend yield at 1.29%, compared with 0.33% for AAUS.

What is the main difference between FTAG and AAUS?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTAG and 0.15% for AAUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 0.95), 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.