RBLD vs. GABF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

RBLD (First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF) and GABF (Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RBLD is a Infrastructure Equities fund tracking the Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while GABF is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by Gabelli. RBLD is passively managed, while GABF is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, RBLD returned 18.07%/yr vs 18.82%/yr for GABF. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RBLD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GABF.

Performance

RBLD vs. GABF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RBLD achieves a 16.81% return, which is significantly higher than GABF's -1.93% return.

RBLD

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -1.92%
• 6M: 10.34%
• YTD: 16.81%
• 1Y: 20.06%
• 3Y*: 18.07%
• 5Y*: 11.47%
• 10Y*: 8.19%
• ALL TIME*: 8.64%

GABF

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.11%
• 6M: -1.06%
• YTD: -1.93%
• 1Y: -1.61%
• 3Y*: 18.82%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.34%

*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)
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	$95.56K	$89.02K	$204.10K
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	$127.03K	$1.03M	$779.49K

RBLD vs. GABF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	16.81%	13.99%	17.94%	19.36%	1.45%
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	-1.93%	3.60%	44.38%	38.92%	-0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between RBLD and GABF is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2022	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between RBLD and GABF has dropped to 0.49 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RBLD vs. GABF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RBLD	GABF
Industrials	42.4%	4.9%
Utilities	27.9%	-
Technology	10.9%	5.2%
Energy	8.3%	-
Basic Materials	6.1%	-
Real Estate	4.3%	4.3%
Communication Services	1.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	85.6%
Healthcare	-	-

Return for Risk

RBLD vs. GABF — Risk / Return Rank

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

RBLD

RBLD Risk / Return Rank: 60
RBLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
RBLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
RBLD Omega Ratio Rank: 50
RBLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
RBLD Martin Ratio Rank: 70

GABF

GABF Risk / Return Rank: 7
GABF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Omega Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

RBLD vs. GABF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). 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.

	RBLD	GABF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	-0.25	+1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	-0.22	+2.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	0.97	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.61	-0.26	+2.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.60	-0.56	+9.16

RBLD vs. GABF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is higher than the GABF Sharpe Ratio of -0.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBLD and GABF, 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

RBLD vs. GABF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBLD drawdown since its inception was -50.07%, which is greater than GABF's maximum drawdown of -20.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBLD and GABF.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBLD	GABF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.07%	-20.86%	-29.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.19%	-17.16%	+9.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	-20.86%	+1.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.54%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.12%	-6.75%	+2.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.76%	-4.97%	-5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	7.90%	-5.72%

Volatility

RBLD vs. GABF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) is 3.65%, while Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) has a volatility of 4.51%. This indicates that RBLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GABF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RBLD	GABF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.65%	4.51%	-0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.00%	13.17%	-2.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.19%	17.57%	-3.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.78%	20.37%	-3.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.50%	20.37%	-1.87%

RBLD vs. GABF - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBLD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than GABF's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBLD vs. GABF - Dividend Comparison

RBLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than GABF's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	2.00%	1.96%	4.19%	4.95%	1.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	0.97%	1.19%	1.31%	1.16%	2.10%	1.45%	2.88%	1.84%	1.74%	1.49%	2.01%	1.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RBLD and GABF in my portfolio?

RBLD and GABF have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RBLD or GABF?

GABF has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to RBLD (3.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBLD dropped -50.07% vs GABF's -20.86%.

Which ETF is better, RBLD or GABF?

On 3-year performance, GABF leads with 18.82% vs 18.07% for RBLD. On fees, GABF is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, RBLD has been the lower-risk option at 3.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RBLD or GABF?

Over the 3-year period, GABF has performed better with a 18.82% return vs 18.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RBLD or GABF?

GABF is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for RBLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RBLD or GABF?

GABF has the higher dividend yield at 2.00%, compared with 0.97% for RBLD.

What is the main difference between RBLD and GABF?

RBLD is categorized as Infrastructure Equities, while GABF is Financials Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Gabelli. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for RBLD and 0.10% for GABF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs -0.25), 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.