RND vs. RAFE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

RND (First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - RND tracks the Bloomberg R&D Leaders Select Index while RAFE tracks the RAFI ESG US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RND returned 17.39% vs 28.72% for RAFE. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RND charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

RND vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RND achieves a 5.28% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 15.75% return.

RND

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: 1.01%
• 6M: 5.91%
• YTD: 5.28%
• 1Y: 17.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

RAFE

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 1.26%
• 6M: 13.22%
• YTD: 15.75%
• 1Y: 28.72%
• 3Y*: 18.68%
• 5Y*: 11.72%
• 10Y*: —

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

RND vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	5.28%	22.38%	26.88%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	15.75%	17.60%	10.75%

Correlation

The correlation between RND and RAFE is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2024	0.66

The correlation between RND and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RND vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

RND

RND Risk / Return Rank: 32
RND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
RND Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
RND Omega Ratio Rank: 33
RND Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
RND Martin Ratio Rank: 33

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 90
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 90
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
RAFE 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.

RND vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	RND	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	2.55	-1.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	3.57	-2.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.46	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.12	3.87	-2.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.92	15.07	-11.16

RND vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RND Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RND and RAFE, 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. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RND drawdown since its inception was -23.52%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RND and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	RND	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.52%	-35.74%	+12.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.56%	-7.46%	-8.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.94%	-0.02%	-1.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.68%	-6.12%	+2.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.45%	1.91%	+2.54%

Volatility

RND vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) has a higher volatility of 4.81% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 2.19%. This indicates that RND'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.

Volatility by Period

	RND	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.81%	2.19%	+2.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.12%	8.62%	+4.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.66%	11.31%	+5.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.09%	15.06%	+6.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.09%	19.31%	+1.78%

RND vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

RND has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

RND vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

RND has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.49%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RND and RAFE in my portfolio?

RND and RAFE have a correlation of 0.65, 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 RAFE?

RND has higher volatility (4.81%) compared to RAFE (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RND dropped -23.52% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, RND or RAFE?

On 1-year performance, RAFE leads with 28.72% vs 17.39% for RND. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 2.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RND or RAFE?

Over the 1-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 28.72% return vs 17.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RND or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for RND.

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

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.00% for RND.

What is the main difference between RND and RAFE?

RND tracks Bloomberg R&D Leaders Select Index, while RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for RND and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.05), 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.