GSY vs. FAAR
GSY (Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSY is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Invesco, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, GSY returned 2.86%/yr vs 4.79%/yr for FAAR. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. GSY charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
GSY vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GSY achieves a 1.79% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 20.23% return. Over the past 10 years, GSY has underperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 2.86%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively higher 4.79% annualized return.
GSY
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 1.79%
- 6M
- 1.87%
- 1Y
- 4.45%
- 3Y*
- 5.42%
- 5Y*
- 3.69%
- 10Y*
- 2.86%
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%
GSY vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSY Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF | 1.79% | 4.96% | 5.95% | 5.99% | 0.01% | 0.03% | 1.88% | 3.39% | 2.18% | 1.86% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 20.23% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 5.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSY and FAAR is -0.10, 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 | -0.10 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | -0.02 |
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Return for Risk
GSY vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
GSY
FAAR
GSY vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF (GSY) 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.
| GSY | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +8.80 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +22.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 6.07 | 1.35 | +4.73 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 74.56 | 4.75 | +69.81 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 349.93 | 14.70 | +335.24 |
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Drawdowns
GSY vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSY drawdown since its inception was -12.14%, smaller than the maximum FAAR drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSY and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GSY | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -12.14% | -18.03% | +5.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.06% | -5.68% | +5.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.18% | -11.54% | +11.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -1.48% | -18.03% | +16.55% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -5.25% | -18.03% | +12.78% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -5.43% | +5.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.38% | -7.82% | +5.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.01% | 1.89% | -1.88% |
Volatility
GSY vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF (GSY) is 0.15%, while First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) has a volatility of 2.47%. This indicates that GSY 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
| GSY | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.15% | 2.47% | -2.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.31% | 9.68% | -9.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41% | 13.37% | -12.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.58% | 12.95% | -12.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.22% | 11.53% | -10.31% |
GSY vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
GSY has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
GSY vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
GSY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.70%, less than FAAR's 9.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GSY Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF | 4.70% | 4.56% | 5.31% | 4.95% | 1.70% | 0.58% | 1.45% | 2.71% | 2.30% | 1.80% | 1.21% | 1.17% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GSY and FAAR have a correlation of -0.10, 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 GSY (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSY dropped -12.14% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 10-year performance, FAAR leads with 4.79% vs 2.86% for GSY. On fees, GSY is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, GSY has been the lower-risk option at 0.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 4.79% return vs 2.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GSY is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.57%, compared with 4.70% for GSY.
GSY is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for GSY and 0.95% for FAAR.
GSY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.83 vs 2.02), 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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