RFFC vs. RFDA

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

RFFC (ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF) and RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFFC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by SS&C, while RFDA is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by SS&C. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFFC returned 12.66%/yr vs 13.34%/yr for RFDA. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RFFC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for RFDA.

Performance

RFFC vs. RFDA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). 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 lower than RFDA's 15.03% return. Over the past 10 years, RFFC has underperformed RFDA with an annualized return of 12.66%, while RFDA has yielded a comparatively higher 13.34% 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%

RFDA

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 2.46%
• 6M: 12.74%
• YTD: 15.03%
• 1Y: 27.34%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 13.00%
• 10Y*: 13.34%
• ALL TIME*: 13.46%

*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)
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	$108.91K	$106.06K	$119.38K
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	$84.66K	$66.37K	$69.76K

RFFC vs. RFDA - 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%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	15.03%	16.42%	20.12%	16.98%	-8.58%	25.94%	11.26%	27.15%	-9.27%	19.86%

Correlation

The correlation between RFFC and RFDA is 0.76, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 7, 2016	0.91

The correlation between RFFC and RFDA shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.91 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RFFC vs. RFDA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFFC	RFDA
Technology	32.4%	15.4%
Industrials	13.4%	9.3%
Healthcare	12.5%	12.2%
Financial Services	11.0%	18.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	8.1%
Communication Services	8.0%	6.2%
Energy	4.4%	11.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	7.1%
Utilities	2.5%	4.9%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.8%
Real Estate	2.2%	5.1%

Return for Risk

RFFC vs. RFDA — 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

RFDA

RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 91
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 90
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. RFDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). 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	RFDA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	2.36	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	3.23	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.43	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	5.04	-2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.26	18.04	-5.78

RFFC vs. RFDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFFC Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the RFDA Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFFC and RFDA, 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. RFDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFFC drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, roughly equal to the maximum RFDA drawdown of -34.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFFC and RFDA.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFFC	RFDA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-34.60%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-5.45%	-3.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-19.35%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.29%	-19.35%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.26%	-34.60%	-1.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.06%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.96%	-3.70%	-1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	1.52%	+0.55%

Volatility

RFFC vs. RFDA - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) has a higher volatility of 3.28% compared to RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) at 2.90%. This indicates that RFFC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFFC	RFDA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	2.90%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.86%	8.68%	+1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.57%	11.67%	+0.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.33%	15.73%	+0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.95%	16.84%	+1.11%

RFFC vs. RFDA - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFFC has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than RFDA's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFFC vs. RFDA - Dividend Comparison

RFFC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, less than RFDA's 1.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	1.76%	1.89%	2.23%	2.68%	3.57%	1.44%	1.62%	1.87%	2.44%	1.90%	0.98%
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

Can I hold both RFFC and RFDA in my portfolio?

RFFC and RFDA have a correlation of 0.76, 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 RFDA?

RFFC has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to RFDA (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFFC dropped -36.26% vs RFDA's -34.60%.

Which ETF is better, RFFC or RFDA?

On 10-year performance, RFDA leads with 13.34% vs 12.66% for RFFC. On fees, RFFC is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, RFDA has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFFC or RFDA?

Over the 10-year period, RFDA has performed better with a 13.34% return vs 12.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFFC or RFDA?

RFFC is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for RFDA.

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

RFDA has the higher dividend yield at 1.76%, compared with 0.62% for RFFC.

What is the main difference between RFFC and RFDA?

RFFC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while RFDA is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for RFFC and 0.52% for RFDA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 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.