RND vs. DRLL

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

RND (First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF) and DRLL (Strive U.S. Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RND is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg R&D Leaders Select Index, while DRLL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RND returned 21.47% vs 37.23% for DRLL. Their -0.04 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. RND charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DRLL.

Performance

RND vs. DRLL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) and Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RND achieves a 9.23% return, which is significantly lower than DRLL's 29.95% return.

RND

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 3.18%
• 6M: 13.62%
• YTD: 9.23%
• 1Y: 21.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 26.31%

DRLL

• 1D: -2.68%
• 1M: 8.84%
• 6M: 11.16%
• YTD: 29.95%
• 1Y: 37.23%
• 3Y*: 11.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.29%

*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)
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	$478.10K	$507.89K	$528.94K
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	$52.02K	$96.81K	$91.60K

RND vs. DRLL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	9.23%	22.38%	26.88%
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	29.95%	7.74%	-10.18%

Correlation

The correlation between RND and DRLL is -0.27, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2024	-0.04

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between RND and DRLL has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.04 to -0.27, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

RND vs. DRLL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RND	DRLL
Technology	44.2%	-
Healthcare	15.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	14.9%	0.9%
Communication Services	12.8%	-
Industrials	9.2%	-
Financial Services	1.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	-
Energy	-	99.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RND vs. DRLL — Risk / Return Rank

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

RND

RND Risk / Return Rank: 40
RND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
RND Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
RND Omega Ratio Rank: 40
RND Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
RND Martin Ratio Rank: 39

DRLL

DRLL Risk / Return Rank: 53
DRLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
DRLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DRLL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DRLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DRLL Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

RND vs. DRLL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) and Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). 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.

	RND	DRLL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	1.62	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	2.13	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.27	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	2.20	-0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.74	5.57	-0.82

RND vs. DRLL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RND Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is comparable to the DRLL Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RND and DRLL, 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

RND vs. DRLL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RND drawdown since its inception was -23.52%, roughly equal to the maximum DRLL drawdown of -23.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RND and DRLL.

Drawdown Indicators

	RND	DRLL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.52%	-23.73%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.56%	-16.99%	+1.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-9.02%	+9.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.67%	-8.14%	+4.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.54%	6.71%	-2.17%

Volatility

RND vs. DRLL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) is 5.71%, while Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) has a volatility of 7.42%. This indicates that RND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DRLL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RND	DRLL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.71%	7.42%	-1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.56%	18.67%	-5.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.24%	23.14%	-5.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.12%	23.82%	-2.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.12%	23.82%	-2.70%

RND vs. DRLL - Expense Ratio Comparison

RND has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DRLL's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

RND vs. DRLL - Dividend Comparison

RND has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DRLL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	2.34%	2.99%	3.00%	3.01%	1.18%
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RND and DRLL in my portfolio?

RND and DRLL have a correlation of -0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RND or DRLL?

DRLL has higher volatility (7.42%) compared to RND (5.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RND dropped -23.52% vs DRLL's -23.73%.

Which ETF is better, RND or DRLL?

On 1-year performance, DRLL leads with 37.23% vs 21.47% for RND. On fees, DRLL is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, RND has been the lower-risk option at 5.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RND or DRLL?

Over the 1-year period, DRLL has performed better with a 37.23% return vs 21.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RND or DRLL?

DRLL is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for RND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RND or DRLL?

DRLL has the higher dividend yield at 2.34%, compared with 0.00% for RND.

What is the main difference between RND and DRLL?

RND is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DRLL is Energy Equities. RND tracks Bloomberg R&D Leaders Select Index, while DRLL tracks Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for RND and 0.41% for DRLL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRLL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.25), 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.