RFFC vs. FTAG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

RFFC (ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF) and FTAG (First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. RFFC is actively managed, while FTAG is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFFC returned 12.66%/yr vs 5.38%/yr for FTAG. Their 0.50 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. RFFC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for FTAG.

Performance

RFFC vs. FTAG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFFC achieves a 13.17% return, which is significantly higher than FTAG's 11.34% return. Over the past 10 years, RFFC has outperformed FTAG with an annualized return of 12.66%, while FTAG has yielded a comparatively lower 5.38% annualized return.

RFFC

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: 0.70%
• 6M: 7.66%
• YTD: 13.17%
• 1Y: 25.29%
• 3Y*: 20.49%
• 5Y*: 11.88%
• 10Y*: 12.66%
• ALL TIME*: 12.74%

FTAG

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -1.29%
• 6M: 2.71%
• YTD: 11.34%
• 1Y: 13.00%
• 3Y*: 3.12%
• 5Y*: 1.91%
• 10Y*: 5.38%
• ALL TIME*: -8.10%

*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)
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	$83.54K	$68.71K	$180.75K
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	$84.66K	$66.37K	$69.76K

RFFC vs. FTAG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	13.17%	16.83%	23.51%	19.50%	-14.58%	22.33%	12.48%	24.77%	-10.23%	21.02%
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	11.34%	14.82%	-6.72%	-7.28%	-4.52%	17.31%	13.88%	9.05%	-19.46%	24.88%

Correlation

The correlation between RFFC and FTAG is 0.40, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 7, 2016	0.50

The correlation between RFFC and FTAG shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (1 year) to 0.59 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RFFC vs. FTAG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFFC	FTAG
Technology	32.4%	-
Industrials	13.4%	25.4%
Healthcare	12.5%	10.0%
Financial Services	11.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	4.5%
Communication Services	8.0%	-
Energy	4.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	7.6%
Utilities	2.5%	-
Basic Materials	2.3%	52.5%
Real Estate	2.2%	-

Return for Risk

RFFC vs. FTAG — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFFC

RFFC Risk / Return Rank: 80
RFFC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
RFFC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
RFFC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
RFFC Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
RFFC Martin Ratio Rank: 83

FTAG

FTAG Risk / Return Rank: 35
FTAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
FTAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FTAG Omega Ratio Rank: 34
FTAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
FTAG Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

RFFC vs. FTAG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG). 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.

	RFFC	FTAG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	0.92	+1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	1.40	+1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.17	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	1.37	+1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.26	3.00	+9.25

RFFC vs. FTAG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFFC Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is higher than the FTAG Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFFC and FTAG, 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

RFFC vs. FTAG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFFC drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, smaller than the maximum FTAG drawdown of -90.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFFC and FTAG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFFC	FTAG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-90.89%	+54.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-9.56%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-20.74%	+2.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.29%	-32.77%	+10.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.26%	-50.79%	+14.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-78.47%	+78.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.96%	-71.30%	+66.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	4.34%	-2.27%

Volatility

RFFC vs. FTAG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) is 3.28%, while First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) has a volatility of 3.64%. This indicates that RFFC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTAG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFFC	FTAG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	3.64%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.86%	11.24%	-1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.57%	14.28%	-1.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.33%	17.42%	-1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.95%	19.45%	-1.50%

RFFC vs. FTAG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFFC has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than FTAG's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFFC vs. FTAG - Dividend Comparison

RFFC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, less than FTAG's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	1.31%	1.39%	2.89%	3.68%	1.77%	1.58%	1.72%	2.33%	2.16%	1.26%	0.61%	1.35%
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	0.62%	0.78%	1.05%	1.35%	1.41%	0.71%	1.79%	1.34%	1.36%	0.93%	0.66%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFFC and FTAG in my portfolio?

RFFC and FTAG have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFFC or FTAG?

FTAG has higher volatility (3.64%) compared to RFFC (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFFC dropped -36.26% vs FTAG's -90.89%.

Which ETF is better, RFFC or FTAG?

On 10-year performance, RFFC leads with 12.66% vs 5.38% for FTAG. On fees, RFFC is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, RFFC has been the lower-risk option at 3.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFFC or FTAG?

Over the 10-year period, RFFC has performed better with a 12.66% return vs 5.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFFC or FTAG?

RFFC is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTAG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RFFC or FTAG?

FTAG has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.62% for RFFC.

What is the main difference between RFFC and FTAG?

They also come from different issuers: SS&C and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for RFFC and 0.70% for FTAG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFFC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 0.92), 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.