NVOX vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NVOX (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NVOX is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Defiance, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, NVOX returned -69.97% vs 28.33% for FAAR. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. NVOX charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

NVOX vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF (NVOX) 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, NVOX achieves a -28.00% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 19.14% return.

NVOX

• 1D: 6.34%
• 1M: 8.09%
• YTD: -28.00%
• 6M: -30.27%
• 1Y: -69.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FAAR

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: -5.21%
• YTD: 19.14%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 28.33%
• 3Y*: 10.57%
• 5Y*: 7.72%
• 10Y*: 4.69%

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

NVOX vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NVOX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF	-28.00%	-76.65%	-43.69%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	19.14%	8.07%	1.38%

Correlation

The correlation between NVOX and FAAR is -0.03, 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	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	-0.04

Return for Risk

NVOX vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

NVOX

NVOX Risk / Return Rank: 3
NVOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
NVOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
NVOX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
NVOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
NVOX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

FAAR

FAAR Risk / Return Rank: 75
FAAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FAAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
FAAR Omega Ratio Rank: 65
FAAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
FAAR Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

NVOX vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF (NVOX) 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.

	NVOX	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.68	2.15	-2.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.76	3.09	-3.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.37	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.85	4.52	-5.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.15	15.18	-16.33

NVOX vs. FAAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NVOX Sharpe Ratio is -0.68, which is lower than the FAAR Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NVOX 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.

Drawdowns

NVOX vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NVOX drawdown since its inception was -94.50%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NVOX and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	NVOX	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.50%	-18.03%	-76.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-82.84%	-6.29%	-76.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.54%	—
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	-90.66%	-6.29%	-84.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-74.74%	-7.82%	-66.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	60.68%	1.87%	+58.81%

Volatility

NVOX vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF (NVOX) has a higher volatility of 23.75% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.55%. This indicates that NVOX'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

	NVOX	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.75%	2.55%	+21.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	79.69%	9.68%	+70.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	103.93%	13.38%	+90.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	103.16%	12.96%	+90.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	103.16%	11.54%	+91.62%

NVOX vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

NVOX has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

NVOX vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

NVOX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.66%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	9.66%	11.63%	3.45%	3.20%	5.82%	6.49%	3.05%	1.02%	0.58%	2.83%
NVOX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NVOX and FAAR in my portfolio?

NVOX and FAAR have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NVOX or FAAR?

NVOX has higher volatility (23.75%) compared to FAAR (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NVOX dropped -94.50% vs FAAR's -18.03%.

Which ETF is better, NVOX or FAAR?

On 1-year performance, FAAR leads with 28.33% vs -69.97% for NVOX. On fees, FAAR is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NVOX or FAAR?

Over the 1-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 28.33% return vs -69.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NVOX or FAAR?

FAAR is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for NVOX.

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

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.66%, compared with 0.00% for NVOX.

What is the main difference between NVOX and FAAR?

NVOX is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for NVOX and 0.95% for FAAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs -0.68), 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.