FTC vs. RSBY

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

FTC (First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and RSBY (Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Growth Index, while RSBY is a Multistrategy fund actively managed by Return Stacked. FTC is passively managed, while RSBY is actively managed. Over the past year, FTC returned 20.87% vs 17.98% for RSBY. At a correlation of -0.21, they often move in opposite directions. FTC charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.98%/yr for RSBY.

Performance

FTC vs. RSBY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) and Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF (RSBY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTC achieves a 14.43% return, which is significantly lower than RSBY's 18.74% return.

FTC

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: -1.40%
• 6M: 10.40%
• YTD: 14.43%
• 1Y: 20.87%
• 3Y*: 21.64%
• 5Y*: 11.52%
• 10Y*: 14.12%

RSBY

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -0.53%
• 6M: 17.67%
• YTD: 18.74%
• 1Y: 17.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTC vs. RSBY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	14.43%	15.89%	11.21%
RSBY Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF	18.74%	-12.98%	-7.79%

Correlation

The correlation between FTC and RSBY 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 21, 2024	-0.21

Return for Risk

FTC vs. RSBY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTC

FTC Risk / Return Rank: 40
FTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
FTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FTC Omega Ratio Rank: 33
FTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
FTC Martin Ratio Rank: 52

RSBY

RSBY Risk / Return Rank: 54
RSBY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
RSBY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
RSBY Omega Ratio Rank: 54
RSBY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
RSBY Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

FTC vs. RSBY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) and Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF (RSBY). 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.

	FTC	RSBY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	1.58	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	2.29	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.27	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	2.27	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.08	5.30	+1.78

FTC vs. RSBY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTC Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is lower than the RSBY Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTC and RSBY, 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

FTC vs. RSBY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTC drawdown since its inception was -54.05%, which is greater than RSBY's maximum drawdown of -23.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTC and RSBY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTC	RSBY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.05%	-23.32%	-30.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.36%	-7.95%	-2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.18%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.66%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.80%	-6.28%	+0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.29%	-13.32%	+4.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	3.40%	-0.44%

Volatility

FTC vs. RSBY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) has a higher volatility of 8.60% compared to Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF (RSBY) at 3.20%. This indicates that FTC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RSBY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTC	RSBY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.60%	3.20%	+5.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.23%	8.40%	+8.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.81%	11.40%	+9.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.39%	13.36%	+7.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.69%	13.36%	+7.33%

FTC vs. RSBY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTC has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than RSBY's 0.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTC vs. RSBY - Dividend Comparison

FTC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%, less than RSBY's 1.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.15%	0.20%	0.32%	0.65%	0.90%	0.00%	0.40%	0.64%	0.35%	0.40%	0.86%	0.52%
RSBY Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF	1.74%	2.07%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTC and RSBY in my portfolio?

FTC and RSBY 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.

Which is riskier, FTC or RSBY?

FTC has higher volatility (8.60%) compared to RSBY (3.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTC dropped -54.05% vs RSBY's -23.32%.

Which ETF is better, FTC or RSBY?

On 1-year performance, FTC leads with 20.87% vs 17.98% for RSBY. On fees, FTC is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, RSBY has been the lower-risk option at 3.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTC or RSBY?

Over the 1-year period, FTC has performed better with a 20.87% return vs 17.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTC or RSBY?

FTC is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for RSBY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTC or RSBY?

RSBY has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 0.15% for FTC.

What is the main difference between FTC and RSBY?

FTC is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while RSBY is Multistrategy. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Return Stacked. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTC and 0.98% for RSBY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSBY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs 1.01), 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.