IDME vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IDME (Aptus International Drawdown Managed Equity ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IDME is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Aptus Capital Advisors, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IDME returned 18.02%/yr vs 11.79%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IDME charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

IDME vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aptus International Drawdown Managed Equity ETF (IDME) 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, IDME achieves a 16.05% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 25.73% return.

IDME

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: 4.97%
• YTD: 16.05%
• 6M: 18.64%
• 1Y: 33.98%
• 3Y*: 18.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

IDME vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IDME Aptus International Drawdown Managed Equity ETF	16.05%	27.53%	6.12%	9.07%	-19.79%	-1.25%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	25.73%	8.07%	5.97%	-5.63%	10.15%	1.38%

Correlation

The correlation between IDME and FAAR is -0.13, 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	-0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2021	0.06

The correlation between IDME and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IDME vs. FAAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDME	FAAR
Financial Services	19.2%	100.0%
Industrials	13.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	-
Technology	9.9%	-
Healthcare	9.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.4%	-
Basic Materials	8.1%	-
Energy	5.6%	-
Communication Services	5.4%	-
Real Estate	3.2%	-
Utilities	3.0%	-

Return for Risk

IDME vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDME

IDME Risk / Return Rank: 65
IDME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IDME Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
IDME Omega Ratio Rank: 67
IDME Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
IDME Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

IDME vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aptus International Drawdown Managed Equity ETF (IDME) 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.

	IDME	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	3.04	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.08	4.23	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.52	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	8.44	-5.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.87	23.64	-11.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDME vs. FAAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDME Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the FAAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDME 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

	IDME	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	3.04	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.45	0.00

Drawdowns

IDME vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDME drawdown since its inception was -29.20%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDME and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDME	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.20%	-18.03%	-11.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.46%	-4.85%	-6.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.88%	-11.54%	-1.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.03%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-1.11%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.17%	-7.85%	-3.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	1.73%	+1.14%

Volatility

IDME vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison

Aptus International Drawdown Managed Equity ETF (IDME) has a higher volatility of 5.23% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.44%. This indicates that IDME'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

	IDME	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.23%	2.44%	+2.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.95%	9.72%	+3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.48%	13.48%	+2.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.64%	13.02%	+1.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.64%	11.51%	+3.13%

IDME vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDME has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDME vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

IDME's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.98%, less than FAAR's 9.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
IDME Aptus International Drawdown Managed Equity ETF	4.98%	4.90%	5.64%	3.71%	2.62%	1.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDME and FAAR in my portfolio?

IDME and FAAR have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDME or FAAR?

IDME has higher volatility (5.23%) compared to FAAR (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDME dropped -29.20% vs FAAR's -18.03%.

Which ETF is better, IDME or FAAR?

On 3-year performance, IDME leads with 18.02% vs 11.79% for FAAR. On fees, IDME is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDME or FAAR?

Over the 3-year period, IDME has performed better with a 18.02% return vs 11.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDME or FAAR?

IDME is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDME or FAAR?

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.15%, compared with 4.98% for IDME.

What is the main difference between IDME and FAAR?

IDME is categorized as Global Equities, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Aptus Capital Advisors and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for IDME and 0.95% for FAAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.21), 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.