HISF vs. AIRR
HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) and AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HISF is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by First Trust, while AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index. HISF is actively managed, while AIRR is passively managed. Over the past year, HISF returned 4.83% vs 63.63% for AIRR. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HISF charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIRR.
Performance
HISF vs. AIRR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HISF achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly lower than AIRR's 31.81% return.
HISF
- 1D
- 0.05%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 0.24%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 4.83%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
AIRR
- 1D
- -2.80%
- 1M
- 3.57%
- YTD
- 31.81%
- 6M
- 27.48%
- 1Y
- 63.63%
- 3Y*
- 36.68%
- 5Y*
- 25.97%
- 10Y*
- 22.05%
HISF vs. AIRR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | 0.24% | 8.39% | 3.41% |
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF | 31.81% | 27.92% | 23.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between HISF and AIRR is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2024 | 0.27 |
The correlation between HISF and AIRR shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.37 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
HISF vs. AIRR — Risk / Return Rank
HISF
AIRR
HISF vs. AIRR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). 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.
| HISF | AIRR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.98 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.38 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.67 | 4.89 | -3.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.78 | 17.83 | -12.06 |
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Drawdowns
HISF vs. AIRR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HISF drawdown since its inception was -3.86%, smaller than the maximum AIRR drawdown of -42.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HISF and AIRR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HISF | AIRR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -3.86% | -42.37% | +38.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.90% | -13.09% | +10.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -27.95% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -27.95% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -42.37% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.99% | -2.80% | +1.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.89% | -7.47% | +6.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.84% | 3.58% | -2.74% |
Volatility
HISF vs. AIRR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) is 0.97%, while First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) has a volatility of 8.80%. This indicates that HISF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIRR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HISF | AIRR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.97% | 8.80% | -7.83% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.69% | 20.63% | -17.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.35% | 26.40% | -23.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.94% | 25.45% | -21.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.94% | 26.33% | -22.39% |
HISF vs. AIRR - Expense Ratio Comparison
HISF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than AIRR's 0.69% expense ratio.
Dividends
HISF vs. AIRR - Dividend Comparison
HISF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.99%, more than AIRR's 0.13% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF | 0.13% | 0.19% | 0.18% | 0.23% | 0.12% | 0.05% | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.43% | 0.30% | 0.08% | 0.47% |
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | 4.99% | 4.69% | 3.92% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HISF and AIRR have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AIRR has higher volatility (8.80%) compared to HISF (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HISF dropped -3.86% vs AIRR's -42.37%.
On 1-year performance, AIRR leads with 63.63% vs 4.83% for HISF. On fees, AIRR is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, HISF has been the lower-risk option at 0.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 63.63% return vs 4.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
AIRR is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for HISF.
HISF has the higher dividend yield at 4.99%, compared with 0.13% for AIRR.
HISF is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while AIRR is Building & Construction. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for HISF and 0.69% for AIRR.
AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.45), 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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