RAYJ vs. FAAR

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

RAYJ (Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RAYJ is a Japan Equities fund actively managed by Rayliant, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. RAYJ charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

RAYJ vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF (RAYJ) and First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

RAYJ

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

FAAR

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -0.80%
• 6M: 6.86%
• YTD: 15.98%
• 1Y: 21.75%
• 3Y*: 8.66%
• 5Y*: 6.90%
• 10Y*: 4.38%
• ALL TIME*: 4.24%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	$1.17M	$1.04M	$1.66M
RAYJ Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RAYJ vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
RAYJ Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF	0.00%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	-0.11%

Return for Risk

RAYJ vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RAYJ

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FAAR

FAAR Risk / Return Rank: 65
FAAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FAAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
FAAR Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FAAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
FAAR Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RAYJ vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF (RAYJ) 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.

	RAYJ	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.60	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.34	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.28	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.18	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	6.19	—

Drawdowns

RAYJ vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RAYJ drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum FAAR drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RAYJ and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	RAYJ	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-18.03%	+18.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.34%	—
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	0.00%	-8.77%	+8.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-7.83%	+7.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.29%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RAYJ	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.11%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.47%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	12.74%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	11.87%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	11.54%	—

RAYJ vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

RAYJ has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

RAYJ vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

RAYJ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.87%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	9.87%	11.63%	3.45%	3.20%	5.82%	6.49%	3.05%	1.02%	0.58%	2.83%
RAYJ Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, RAYJ or FAAR?

On fees, RAYJ is cheaper at 0.72% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RAYJ or FAAR?

RAYJ is cheaper with a 0.72% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.

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

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.87%, compared with 0.00% for RAYJ.

What is the main difference between RAYJ and FAAR?

RAYJ is categorized as Japan Equities, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Rayliant and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for RAYJ and 0.95% for FAAR.