GLTR vs. FAAR
GLTR (abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLTR is a Precious Metals fund tracking the ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. GLTR is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLTR returned 12.08%/yr vs 4.91%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLTR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
GLTR vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLTR achieves a -4.66% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 22.65% return. Over the past 10 years, GLTR has outperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 12.08%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively lower 4.91% annualized return.
GLTR
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- -15.53%
- YTD
- -4.66%
- 6M
- 0.76%
- 1Y
- 39.78%
- 3Y*
- 29.97%
- 5Y*
- 14.04%
- 10Y*
- 12.08%
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- -2.57%
- YTD
- 22.65%
- 6M
- 22.23%
- 1Y
- 32.75%
- 3Y*
- 11.36%
- 5Y*
- 7.51%
- 10Y*
- 4.91%
GLTR vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | -4.66% | 87.25% | 20.63% | 2.01% | -0.25% | -9.60% | 29.52% | 20.96% | -2.85% | 12.94% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 22.65% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 5.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLTR and FAAR is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | 0.22 |
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Return for Risk
GLTR vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
GLTR
FAAR
GLTR vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) 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.
| GLTR | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.40 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.42 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.17 | 6.79 | -5.61 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.88 | 18.23 | -15.36 |
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Drawdowns
GLTR vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLTR drawdown since its inception was -55.70%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLTR and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLTR | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.70% | -18.03% | -37.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -34.09% | -4.85% | -29.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.09% | -11.54% | -22.55% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.09% | -18.03% | -16.06% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.09% | -18.03% | -16.06% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -31.27% | -3.52% | -27.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.82% | -7.83% | -20.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.86% | 1.80% | +12.06% |
Volatility
GLTR vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) has a higher volatility of 10.43% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.28%. This indicates that GLTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| GLTR | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.43% | 2.28% | +8.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 36.24% | 9.69% | +26.55% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 38.40% | 13.49% | +24.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.87% | 13.02% | +10.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.64% | 11.52% | +9.12% |
GLTR vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLTR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLTR vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
GLTR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.38%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.38% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% |
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GLTR and FAAR have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLTR has higher volatility (10.43%) compared to FAAR (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLTR dropped -55.70% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 10-year performance, GLTR leads with 12.08% vs 4.91% for FAAR. On fees, GLTR is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLTR has performed better with a 12.08% return vs 4.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLTR is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.38%, compared with 0.00% for GLTR.
GLTR is categorized as Precious Metals, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: abrdn and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GLTR and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.04), 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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