MMIT vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MMIT (IQ MacKay Municipal Intermediate ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MMIT is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by New York Life, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, MMIT returned 1.11%/yr vs 8.07%/yr for FAAR. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. MMIT charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

MMIT vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ MacKay Municipal Intermediate ETF (MMIT) 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, MMIT achieves a 1.40% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 25.73% return.

MMIT

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 6M: 1.79%
• 1Y: 6.45%
• 3Y*: 3.85%
• 5Y*: 1.11%
• 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)

MMIT vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MMIT IQ MacKay Municipal Intermediate ETF	1.40%	5.03%	1.46%	5.42%	-7.40%	1.55%	6.17%	7.49%	2.41%	0.43%
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%	1.47%

Correlation

The correlation between MMIT and FAAR is -0.07, 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	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 19, 2017	-0.03

MMIT vs. FAAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MMIT	FAAR
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-
Financial Services	-1.1%	100.0%

Return for Risk

MMIT vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

MMIT

MMIT Risk / Return Rank: 70
MMIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
MMIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
MMIT Omega Ratio Rank: 86
MMIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
MMIT Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

MMIT vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ MacKay Municipal Intermediate ETF (MMIT) 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.

	MMIT	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	3.04	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.79	4.23	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.52	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	8.44	-5.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.50	23.64	-15.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MMIT vs. FAAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MMIT Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the FAAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MMIT 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

	MMIT	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.56	3.04	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.62	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.45	+0.18

Drawdowns

MMIT vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MMIT drawdown since its inception was -12.28%, smaller than the maximum FAAR drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MMIT and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	MMIT	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.28%	-18.03%	+5.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.59%	-4.85%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.96%	-11.54%	+7.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.28%	-18.03%	+5.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.03%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	-1.11%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.27%	-7.85%	+5.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	1.73%	-0.97%

Volatility

MMIT vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ MacKay Municipal Intermediate ETF (MMIT) is 0.77%, while First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) has a volatility of 2.44%. This indicates that MMIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MMIT	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.77%	2.44%	-1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.66%	9.72%	-8.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53%	13.48%	-10.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.54%	13.02%	-9.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.30%	11.51%	-7.21%

MMIT vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

MMIT has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

MMIT vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

MMIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.57%, 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%
MMIT IQ MacKay Municipal Intermediate ETF	3.57%	3.54%	3.76%	3.46%	2.30%	1.81%	2.59%	4.14%	2.46%	0.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MMIT and FAAR in my portfolio?

MMIT and FAAR have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MMIT or FAAR?

FAAR has higher volatility (2.44%) compared to MMIT (0.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MMIT dropped -12.28% vs FAAR's -18.03%.

Which ETF is better, MMIT or FAAR?

On 5-year performance, FAAR leads with 8.07% vs 1.11% for MMIT. On fees, MMIT is cheaper at 0.31% per year. On volatility, MMIT has been the lower-risk option at 0.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MMIT or FAAR?

Over the 5-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 8.07% return vs 1.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MMIT or FAAR?

MMIT is cheaper with a 0.31% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.

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

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.15%, compared with 3.57% for MMIT.

What is the main difference between MMIT and FAAR?

MMIT is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: New York Life and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.31% for MMIT and 0.95% for FAAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.56), 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.