MSTB vs. FAAR
MSTB (LHA Market State Tactical Beta ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MSTB is a Equity Hedged fund tracking the S&P 500® Index, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. MSTB is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, MSTB returned 8.63%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MSTB charges 1.40%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
MSTB vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSTB achieves a 7.29% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 20.28% return.
MSTB
- 1D
- 0.48%
- 1M
- 0.91%
- YTD
- 7.29%
- 6M
- 8.51%
- 1Y
- 19.39%
- 3Y*
- 17.16%
- 5Y*
- 8.63%
- 10Y*
- —
FAAR
- 1D
- 0.31%
- 1M
- -4.60%
- YTD
- 20.28%
- 6M
- 20.86%
- 1Y
- 26.68%
- 3Y*
- 10.85%
- 5Y*
- 8.03%
- 10Y*
- 4.74%
MSTB vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSTB LHA Market State Tactical Beta ETF | 7.29% | 18.57% | 18.82% | 16.94% | -22.72% | 21.89% | 9.91% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 20.28% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 6.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSTB and FAAR is -0.09, 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 | -0.09 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.03 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2020 | 0.05 |
The correlation between MSTB and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.05 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MSTB vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
MSTB
FAAR
MSTB vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for LHA Market State Tactical Beta ETF (MSTB) 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.
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.
| MSTB | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.34 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.34 | 4.72 | -2.37 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.71 | 14.40 | -5.69 |
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Drawdowns
MSTB vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSTB drawdown since its inception was -25.64%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSTB and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSTB | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -25.64% | -18.03% | -7.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.31% | -5.68% | -2.63% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.81% | -11.54% | +0.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.64% | -18.03% | -7.61% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.03% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.90% | -5.39% | +3.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.14% | -7.83% | +0.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.23% | 1.87% | +0.36% |
Volatility
MSTB vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
LHA Market State Tactical Beta ETF (MSTB) has a higher volatility of 3.79% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.50%. This indicates that MSTB'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.
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Volatility by Period
| MSTB | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.79% | 2.50% | +1.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.07% | 9.71% | -1.64% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.60% | 13.36% | -2.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.02% | 12.95% | +1.07% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.86% | 11.53% | +2.33% |
MSTB vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
MSTB has a 1.40% expense ratio, which is higher than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
MSTB vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
MSTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than FAAR's 9.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.57% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% |
MSTB LHA Market State Tactical Beta ETF | 0.38% | 0.41% | 0.95% | 0.16% | 1.34% | 2.20% | 1.78% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MSTB and FAAR have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSTB has higher volatility (3.79%) compared to FAAR (2.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSTB dropped -25.64% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 5-year performance, MSTB leads with 8.63% vs 8.03% for FAAR. On fees, FAAR is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, MSTB has performed better with a 8.63% return vs 8.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FAAR is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.40% for MSTB.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.57%, compared with 0.38% for MSTB.
MSTB is categorized as Equity Hedged, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Little Harbor Advisors and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.40% for MSTB and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.84), 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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