GUT vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GUT (The Gabelli Utility Trust) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both funds - GUT is a Utilities Equities fund managed by Gabelli Funds, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Over the past 10 years, GUT returned 9.17%/yr vs 5.17%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GUT charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

GUT vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT) and First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GUT achieves a 8.30% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 25.73% return. Over the past 10 years, GUT has outperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 9.17%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively lower 5.17% annualized return.

GUT

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 3.27%
• YTD: 8.30%
• 6M: 8.30%
• 1Y: 25.41%
• 3Y*: 8.45%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 9.17%

FAAR

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: 25.73%
• 6M: 23.17%
• 1Y: 40.73%
• 3Y*: 11.79%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 5.17%

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

GUT vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GUT The Gabelli Utility Trust	8.30%	33.14%	6.01%	-21.07%	-1.10%	9.51%	13.19%	42.32%	-7.87%	22.98%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	25.73%	8.07%	5.97%	-5.63%	10.15%	12.34%	8.60%	-1.28%	-9.17%	5.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GUT and FAAR is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2016	0.04

Return for Risk

GUT vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

GUT

GUT Risk / Return Rank: 55
GUT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
GUT Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
GUT Omega Ratio Rank: 34
GUT Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
GUT Martin Ratio Rank: 83

FAAR

FAAR Risk / Return Rank: 90
FAAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FAAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FAAR Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FAAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FAAR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

GUT vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT) 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.

	GUT	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	3.04	-1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	4.23	-1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.52	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.73	8.44	-3.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.59	23.64	-8.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GUT vs. FAAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GUT Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is lower than the FAAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GUT and FAAR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GUT	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	3.04	-1.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.62	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.45	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.45	-0.15

Drawdowns

GUT vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GUT drawdown since its inception was -52.79%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GUT and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	GUT	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.79%	-18.03%	-34.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.40%	-4.85%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.63%	-11.54%	-19.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.94%	-18.03%	-15.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.21%	-18.03%	-24.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-1.11%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.00%	-7.85%	-0.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	1.73%	-0.10%

Volatility

GUT vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison

The Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT) has a higher volatility of 4.05% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.44%. This indicates that GUT'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.

Volatility by Period

	GUT	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	2.44%	+1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.40%	9.72%	+0.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.88%	13.48%	+1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.48%	13.02%	+8.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.79%	11.51%	+12.28%

GUT vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

GUT has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

GUT vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

GUT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.57%, more than FAAR's 9.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	9.15%	11.63%	3.45%	3.20%	5.82%	6.49%	3.05%	1.02%	0.58%	2.83%	0.00%	0.00%
GUT The Gabelli Utility Trust	9.57%	9.95%	11.73%	11.07%	7.99%	7.28%	7.39%	7.72%	10.10%	8.45%	9.52%	10.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GUT and FAAR in my portfolio?

GUT and FAAR have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GUT or FAAR?

GUT has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to FAAR (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GUT dropped -52.79% vs FAAR's -18.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 1.72), 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.