RFFC vs. RAFE
RFFC (ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. RFFC is actively managed, while RAFE is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RFFC returned 11.88%/yr vs 11.73%/yr for RAFE. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RFFC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.
Performance
RFFC vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RFFC achieves a 13.17% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 17.29% 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%
RAFE
- 1D
- 0.52%
- 1M
- 1.64%
- 6M
- 14.11%
- YTD
- 17.29%
- 1Y
- 32.43%
- 3Y*
- 19.17%
- 5Y*
- 11.73%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 12.75%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $455.18K | $476.38K | $608.93K | |
| $84.66K | $66.37K | $69.76K |
RFFC vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF | 13.17% | 16.83% | 23.51% | 19.50% | -14.58% | 22.33% | 12.48% | 0.80% |
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 17.29% | 17.60% | 13.81% | 18.80% | -13.76% | 30.16% | 5.29% | 0.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between RFFC and RAFE is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.86 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2019 | 0.87 |
The correlation between RFFC and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
RFFC vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank
RFFC
RAFE
RFFC vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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 | RAFE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.84 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.51 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.75 | 4.37 | -1.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.26 | 17.37 | -5.11 |
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Drawdowns
RFFC vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFFC drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, roughly equal to the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFFC and RAFE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFFC | RAFE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.26% | -35.74% | -0.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.25% | -7.46% | -1.79% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.45% | -16.36% | -2.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.29% | -24.28% | +1.99% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.26% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.45% | +0.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.96% | -6.08% | +1.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.07% | 1.87% | +0.20% |
Volatility
RFFC vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison
ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) has a higher volatility of 3.28% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 2.99%. This indicates that RFFC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RFFC | RAFE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.28% | 2.99% | +0.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.86% | 8.71% | +1.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.57% | 11.39% | +1.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.33% | 15.05% | +1.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.95% | 19.27% | -1.32% |
RFFC vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison
RFFC has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
RFFC vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison
RFFC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, less than RAFE's 1.47% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 1.47% | 1.67% | 1.79% | 1.81% | 2.22% | 1.42% | 2.36% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RFFC and RAFE have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
RFFC has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to RAFE (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFFC dropped -36.26% vs RAFE's -35.74%.
On 5-year performance, RFFC leads with 11.88% vs 11.73% for RAFE. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, RFFC has performed better with a 11.88% return vs 11.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for RFFC.
RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.62% for RFFC.
They also come from different issuers: SS&C and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for RFFC and 0.30% for RAFE.
RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.03), 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.
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