RFDA vs. GQGU

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) and GQGU (GQG US Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, RFDA returned 26.63% vs 8.32% for GQGU. Their 0.12 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. RFDA charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for GQGU.

Performance

RFDA vs. GQGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFDA achieves a 15.99% return, which is significantly higher than GQGU's 8.76% return.

RFDA

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 3.31%
• 6M: 14.27%
• YTD: 15.99%
• 1Y: 26.63%
• 3Y*: 19.35%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: 13.43%
• ALL TIME*: 13.55%

GQGU

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 3.02%
• 6M: 3.85%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 1Y: 8.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.12%

*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)
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	$3.86M	$3.50M	$3.12M
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	$111.59K	$107.70K	$119.19K

RFDA vs. GQGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	15.99%	9.37%
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	8.76%	-1.12%

Correlation

The correlation between RFDA and GQGU is 0.13, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2025	0.12

Return for Risk

RFDA vs. GQGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFDA

RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 89
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 87
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 92

GQGU

GQGU Risk / Return Rank: 28
GQGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
GQGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GQGU Omega Ratio Rank: 26
GQGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
GQGU Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

RFDA vs. GQGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). 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.

	RFDA	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	0.78	+1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	1.19	+1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.14	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.91	0.99	+3.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.57	2.28	+15.29

RFDA vs. GQGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFDA Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the GQGU Sharpe Ratio of 0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFDA and GQGU, 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

RFDA vs. GQGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFDA drawdown since its inception was -34.60%, which is greater than GQGU's maximum drawdown of -8.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFDA and GQGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFDA	GQGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.60%	-8.41%	-26.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.45%	-8.41%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.35%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.35%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.73%	+2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.70%	-3.01%	-0.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.52%	3.65%	-2.13%

Volatility

RFDA vs. GQGU - Volatility Comparison

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) has a higher volatility of 2.97% compared to GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) at 2.35%. This indicates that RFDA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GQGU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFDA	GQGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	2.35%	+0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.70%	8.53%	+0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.66%	10.74%	+0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.73%	10.62%	+5.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.84%	10.62%	+6.22%

RFDA vs. GQGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFDA has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than GQGU's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFDA vs. GQGU - Dividend Comparison

RFDA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%, more than GQGU's 0.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	0.94%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	1.74%	1.89%	2.23%	2.68%	3.57%	1.44%	1.62%	1.87%	2.44%	1.90%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFDA and GQGU in my portfolio?

RFDA and GQGU have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFDA or GQGU?

RFDA has higher volatility (2.97%) compared to GQGU (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFDA dropped -34.60% vs GQGU's -8.41%.

Which ETF is better, RFDA or GQGU?

On 1-year performance, RFDA leads with 26.63% vs 8.32% for GQGU. On fees, GQGU is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, GQGU has been the lower-risk option at 2.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFDA or GQGU?

Over the 1-year period, RFDA has performed better with a 26.63% return vs 8.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFDA or GQGU?

GQGU is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for RFDA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RFDA or GQGU?

RFDA has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 0.94% for GQGU.

What is the main difference between RFDA and GQGU?

They also come from different issuers: SS&C and GQG Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for RFDA and 0.49% for GQGU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 0.78), 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.