IQRA vs. UCON

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IQRA (IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF) and UCON (First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQRA is a REIT fund actively managed by IndexIQ, while UCON is a Nontraditional Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IQRA returned 11.46%/yr vs 5.89%/yr for UCON. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IQRA charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for UCON.

Performance

IQRA vs. UCON - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF (IQRA) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQRA achieves a 8.27% return, which is significantly higher than UCON's 0.76% return.

IQRA

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -0.63%
• YTD: 8.27%
• 6M: 8.38%
• 1Y: 12.86%
• 3Y*: 11.46%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UCON

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 0.76%
• 6M: 0.92%
• 1Y: 5.01%
• 3Y*: 5.89%
• 5Y*: 2.78%
• 10Y*: —

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

IQRA vs. UCON - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IQRA IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF	8.27%	12.42%	5.58%	2.80%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	0.76%	7.00%	4.69%	4.27%

Correlation

The correlation between IQRA and UCON is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2023	0.41

The correlation between IQRA and UCON has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.41 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IQRA vs. UCON — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQRA

IQRA Risk / Return Rank: 35
IQRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
IQRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
IQRA Omega Ratio Rank: 34
IQRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
IQRA Martin Ratio Rank: 37

UCON

UCON Risk / Return Rank: 50
UCON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
UCON Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
UCON Omega Ratio Rank: 53
UCON Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
UCON Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

IQRA vs. UCON - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF (IQRA) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). 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.

	IQRA	UCON	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.69	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	2.42	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.31	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	2.05	-0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.28	7.85	-2.57

IQRA vs. UCON - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQRA Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is comparable to the UCON Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQRA and UCON, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IQRA vs. UCON - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQRA drawdown since its inception was -15.70%, roughly equal to the maximum UCON drawdown of -15.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQRA and UCON.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQRA	UCON	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.70%	-15.31%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.01%	-2.45%	-5.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.70%	-2.85%	-12.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.97%	-0.43%	-2.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.15%	-1.48%	-1.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	0.64%	+1.80%

Volatility

IQRA vs. UCON - Volatility Comparison

IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF (IQRA) has a higher volatility of 3.73% compared to First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) at 0.85%. This indicates that IQRA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UCON based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQRA	UCON	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	0.85%	+2.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.60%	2.37%	+6.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.83%	2.99%	+7.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.85%	3.90%	+8.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.85%	5.88%	+6.97%

IQRA vs. UCON - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQRA has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than UCON's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQRA vs. UCON - Dividend Comparison

IQRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, less than UCON's 4.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IQRA IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF	2.70%	2.83%	3.53%	2.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	4.66%	4.63%	4.95%	4.75%	3.12%	2.20%	3.14%	3.25%	1.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQRA and UCON in my portfolio?

IQRA and UCON have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQRA or UCON?

IQRA has higher volatility (3.73%) compared to UCON (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQRA dropped -15.70% vs UCON's -15.31%.

Which ETF is better, IQRA or UCON?

On 3-year performance, IQRA leads with 11.46% vs 5.89% for UCON. On fees, IQRA is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, UCON has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQRA or UCON?

Over the 3-year period, IQRA has performed better with a 11.46% return vs 5.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQRA or UCON?

IQRA is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for UCON.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQRA or UCON?

UCON has the higher dividend yield at 4.66%, compared with 2.70% for IQRA.

What is the main difference between IQRA and UCON?

IQRA is categorized as REIT, while UCON is Nontraditional Bonds. They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for IQRA and 0.86% for UCON.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UCON currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.20), 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.