IFED vs. CEFD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IFED (ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN) and CEFD (ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - IFED is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while CEFD is a fund fund tracking the S-Network Composite Closed-End Fund Index (150%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IFED returned 16.71%/yr vs 15.60%/yr for CEFD. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IFED charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for CEFD.

Performance

IFED vs. CEFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IFED achieves a -3.52% return, which is significantly lower than CEFD's 6.26% return.

IFED

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 4.85%
• YTD: -3.52%
• 6M: -3.51%
• 1Y: 1.97%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CEFD

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 6.26%
• 6M: 6.56%
• 1Y: 18.31%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 3.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

IFED vs. CEFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	-3.52%	15.02%	23.04%	20.78%	-1.46%	8.46%
CEFD ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN	6.26%	14.15%	20.06%	8.36%	-28.93%	0.17%

Correlation

The correlation between IFED and CEFD is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2021	0.69

The correlation between IFED and CEFD shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (1 year) to 0.69 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IFED vs. CEFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

IFED

IFED Risk / Return Rank: 10
IFED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Omega Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Martin Ratio Rank: 10

CEFD

CEFD Risk / Return Rank: 39
CEFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
CEFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
CEFD Omega Ratio Rank: 45
CEFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
CEFD Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

IFED vs. CEFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD). 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.

	IFED	CEFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.12	1.43	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.29	2.03	-1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.29	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	1.47	-1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.34	6.84	-6.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IFED vs. CEFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFED Sharpe Ratio is 0.12, which is lower than the CEFD Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFED and CEFD, 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

	IFED	CEFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12	1.43	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.18	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.52	+0.13

Drawdowns

IFED vs. CEFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFED drawdown since its inception was -22.36%, smaller than the maximum CEFD drawdown of -36.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFED and CEFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFED	CEFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.36%	-36.95%	+14.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.65%	-12.51%	-2.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.36%	-21.76%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-36.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.50%	-1.14%	-4.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-11.72%	+5.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.75%	2.68%	+3.07%

Volatility

IFED vs. CEFD - Volatility Comparison

ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD) at 4.05%. This indicates that IFED's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CEFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IFED	CEFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	4.05%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.86%	11.27%	+1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.21%	12.86%	+3.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.88%	17.93%	+1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.88%	17.31%	+2.57%

IFED vs. CEFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFED has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than CEFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFED vs. CEFD - Dividend Comparison

IFED has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CEFD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.58%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
CEFD ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN	14.58%	14.88%	13.90%	14.76%	16.56%	10.31%	5.37%
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IFED and CEFD in my portfolio?

IFED and CEFD have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFED or CEFD?

IFED has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to CEFD (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFED dropped -22.36% vs CEFD's -36.95%.

Which ETF is better, IFED or CEFD?

On 3-year performance, IFED leads with 16.71% vs 15.60% for CEFD. On fees, IFED is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, CEFD has been the lower-risk option at 4.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IFED or CEFD?

Over the 3-year period, IFED has performed better with a 16.71% return vs 15.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFED or CEFD?

IFED is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for CEFD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IFED or CEFD?

CEFD has the higher dividend yield at 14.58%, compared with 0.00% for IFED.

What is the main difference between IFED and CEFD?

IFED tracks IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while CEFD tracks S-Network Composite Closed-End Fund Index (150%). Their fees differ too: 0.45% for IFED and 0.95% for CEFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CEFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.12), 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.