RCTR vs. RAYS

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RCTR (First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF) and RAYS (Global X Solar ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RCTR is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index, while RAYS is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Solactive Solar Index. Both are passively managed. RCTR charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for RAYS.

Performance

RCTR vs. RAYS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) and Global X Solar ETF (RAYS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

RCTR

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: -2.79%
• 6M: -9.50%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 1Y: 9.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.30%

RAYS

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

*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)
RAYS Global X Solar ETF	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	$83.08K	$122.59K	$254.75K

RCTR vs. RAYS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	-5.36%
RAYS Global X Solar ETF	0.00%

Return for Risk

RCTR vs. RAYS — Risk / Return Rank

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

RCTR

RCTR Risk / Return Rank: 18
RCTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
RCTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
RCTR Omega Ratio Rank: 17
RCTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
RCTR Martin Ratio Rank: 18

RAYS

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

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.

RCTR vs. RAYS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) and Global X Solar ETF (RAYS). 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.

	RCTR	RAYS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.30	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.00	—	—

Drawdowns

RCTR vs. RAYS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RCTR drawdown since its inception was -18.98%, which is greater than RAYS's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RCTR and RAYS.

Drawdown Indicators

	RCTR	RAYS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.98%	0.00%	-18.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.98%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.26%	0.00%	-16.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.09%	0.00%	-6.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.86%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RCTR	RAYS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.98%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.49%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.82%	0.00%	+26.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.82%	0.00%	+26.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.82%	0.00%	+26.82%

RCTR vs. RAYS - Expense Ratio Comparison

RCTR has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than RAYS's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

RCTR vs. RAYS - Dividend Comparison

RCTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.64%, while RAYS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
RAYS Global X Solar ETF	0.00%	0.00%
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	0.64%	0.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, RCTR or RAYS?

On fees, RAYS is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RCTR or RAYS?

RAYS is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for RCTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RCTR or RAYS?

RCTR has the higher dividend yield at 0.64%, compared with 0.00% for RAYS.

What is the main difference between RCTR and RAYS?

RCTR is categorized as Energy Equities, while RAYS is Alternative Energy Equities. RCTR tracks Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index, while RAYS tracks Solactive Solar Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for RCTR and 0.50% for RAYS.