RFFC vs. IDOG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFFC (ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF) and IDOG (ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFFC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by SS&C, while IDOG is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S-Network International Sector Dividend Dogs Index. RFFC is actively managed, while IDOG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RFFC returned 12.38%/yr vs 13.36%/yr for IDOG. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RFFC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for IDOG.

Performance

RFFC vs. IDOG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFFC achieves a 10.59% return, which is significantly lower than IDOG's 14.02% return.

RFFC

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 3.42%
• YTD: 10.59%
• 6M: 10.88%
• 1Y: 28.37%
• 3Y*: 21.20%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: —

IDOG

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 3.24%
• YTD: 14.02%
• 6M: 16.64%
• 1Y: 35.52%
• 3Y*: 21.96%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

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

RFFC vs. IDOG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	10.59%	16.83%	23.51%	19.50%	-14.58%	22.33%	12.48%	24.77%	-10.23%	21.02%
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	14.02%	39.94%	1.35%	23.57%	-4.50%	11.33%	-1.78%	21.93%	-13.47%	25.61%

Correlation

The correlation between RFFC and IDOG is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2016	0.65

The correlation between RFFC and IDOG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

RFFC vs. IDOG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFFC	IDOG
Technology	29.8%	8.5%
Industrials	13.2%	11.7%
Healthcare	11.8%	9.3%
Financial Services	11.5%	11.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	9.5%
Communication Services	9.2%	9.9%
Energy	4.4%	10.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	9.4%
Utilities	2.6%	10.0%
Basic Materials	2.3%	10.0%
Real Estate	2.2%	-

Return for Risk

RFFC vs. IDOG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

RFFC

RFFC Risk / Return Rank: 71
RFFC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
RFFC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
RFFC Omega Ratio Rank: 71
RFFC Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
RFFC Martin Ratio Rank: 75

IDOG

IDOG Risk / Return Rank: 83
IDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
IDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
IDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
IDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

RFFC vs. IDOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG). 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.

	RFFC	IDOG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	2.68	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	3.58	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.46	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	5.51	-2.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.17	19.31	-5.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFFC vs. IDOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFFC Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is comparable to the IDOG Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFFC and IDOG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RFFC	IDOG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	2.68	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.86	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.51	+0.20

Drawdowns

RFFC vs. IDOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFFC drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, roughly equal to the maximum IDOG drawdown of -37.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFFC and IDOG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFFC	IDOG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-37.32%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-6.47%	-2.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-13.92%	-4.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.29%	-25.31%	+3.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-0.47%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.02%	-7.93%	+2.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.84%	+0.17%

Volatility

RFFC vs. IDOG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) is 3.00%, while ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) has a volatility of 4.13%. This indicates that RFFC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IDOG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFFC	IDOG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	4.13%	-1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.32%	10.09%	-0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.00%	13.33%	-1.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.27%	15.61%	+0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	17.45%	+0.52%

RFFC vs. IDOG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFFC has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than IDOG's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFFC vs. IDOG - Dividend Comparison

RFFC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, less than IDOG's 3.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	3.42%	4.26%	4.90%	4.86%	4.46%	3.85%	3.00%	5.41%	4.50%	3.33%	4.01%	4.19%
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	0.72%	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 IDOG in my portfolio?

RFFC and IDOG have a correlation of 0.57, 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 IDOG?

IDOG has higher volatility (4.13%) compared to RFFC (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFFC dropped -36.26% vs IDOG's -37.32%.

Which ETF is better, RFFC or IDOG?

On 5-year performance, IDOG leads with 13.36% vs 12.38% for RFFC. On fees, RFFC is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, RFFC has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFFC or IDOG?

Over the 5-year period, IDOG has performed better with a 13.36% return vs 12.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFFC or IDOG?

RFFC is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for IDOG.

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

IDOG has the higher dividend yield at 3.42%, compared with 0.72% for RFFC.

What is the main difference between RFFC and IDOG?

RFFC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IDOG is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for RFFC and 0.50% for IDOG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.38), 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.