RFFC vs. SDOG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFFC (ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF) and SDOG (ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFFC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by SS&C, while SDOG is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index. RFFC is actively managed, while SDOG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RFFC returned 12.38%/yr vs 8.48%/yr for SDOG. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RFFC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for SDOG.

Performance

RFFC vs. SDOG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG). 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 SDOG's 14.21% return.

RFFC

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

SDOG

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 3.56%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 15.85%
• 1Y: 24.70%
• 3Y*: 16.65%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: 9.59%

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

RFFC vs. SDOG - 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%
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	14.21%	11.12%	14.70%	4.19%	-0.20%	24.59%	-0.35%	24.02%	-11.43%	12.65%

Correlation

The correlation between RFFC and SDOG is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2016	0.71

Over the past year, the correlation between RFFC and SDOG has dropped to 0.50 - well below their long-term average of 0.71, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RFFC vs. SDOG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFFC	SDOG
Technology	29.8%	14.1%
Industrials	13.2%	8.0%
Healthcare	11.8%	9.7%
Financial Services	11.5%	11.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	15.0%
Communication Services	9.2%	9.0%
Energy	4.4%	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	9.8%
Utilities	2.6%	9.4%
Basic Materials	2.3%	4.1%
Real Estate	2.2%	-

Return for Risk

RFFC vs. SDOG — 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

SDOG

SDOG Risk / Return Rank: 68
SDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. SDOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG). 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	SDOG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	2.17	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	3.26	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.38	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	3.98	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.17	12.78	+1.39
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. SDOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFFC Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is comparable to the SDOG Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFFC and SDOG, 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	SDOG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	2.17	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.55	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.65	+0.06

Drawdowns

RFFC vs. SDOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFFC drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, smaller than the maximum SDOG drawdown of -43.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFFC and SDOG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFFC	SDOG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-43.56%	+7.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-6.24%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-16.00%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.29%	-19.84%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-0.91%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.02%	-4.92%	-0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.94%	+0.07%

Volatility

RFFC vs. SDOG - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) have volatilities of 3.00% and 3.02%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFFC	SDOG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	3.02%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.32%	7.93%	+1.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.00%	11.42%	+0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.27%	15.42%	+0.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	19.06%	-1.09%

RFFC vs. SDOG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFFC has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than SDOG's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFFC vs. SDOG - Dividend Comparison

RFFC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, less than SDOG's 3.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	3.35%	3.68%	3.86%	4.29%	3.87%	3.62%	3.63%	3.37%	4.03%	3.27%	3.32%	3.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFFC and SDOG in my portfolio?

RFFC and SDOG have a correlation of 0.50, 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 SDOG?

SDOG has higher volatility (3.02%) compared to RFFC (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFFC dropped -36.26% vs SDOG's -43.56%.

Which ETF is better, RFFC or SDOG?

On 5-year performance, RFFC leads with 12.38% vs 8.48% for SDOG. On fees, SDOG is cheaper at 0.36% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFFC or SDOG?

Over the 5-year period, RFFC has performed better with a 12.38% return vs 8.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFFC or SDOG?

SDOG is cheaper with a 0.36% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for RFFC.

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

SDOG has the higher dividend yield at 3.35%, compared with 0.72% for RFFC.

What is the main difference between RFFC and SDOG?

RFFC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SDOG is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for RFFC and 0.36% for SDOG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFFC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.17), 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.