RNDV vs. RAFE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

RNDV (US Equity Dividend Select ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - RNDV tracks the Nasdaq Riskalyze US Large Cap Select Dividend Index while RAFE tracks the RAFI ESG US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RNDV returned 9.93%/yr vs 11.72%/yr for RAFE. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RNDV charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

RNDV vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in US Equity Dividend Select ETF (RNDV) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with RNDV having a 15.27% return and RAFE slightly higher at 15.75%.

RNDV

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: -0.37%
• 6M: 10.25%
• YTD: 15.27%
• 1Y: 23.62%
• 3Y*: 15.08%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 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)

RNDV vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
RNDV US Equity Dividend Select ETF	15.27%	14.27%	11.05%	9.77%	-7.55%	28.99%	5.51%	0.75%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	15.75%	17.60%	13.81%	18.80%	-13.76%	30.16%	5.29%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between RNDV and RAFE is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2019	0.83

The correlation between RNDV and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RNDV vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

RNDV

RNDV Risk / Return Rank: 65
RNDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
RNDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
RNDV Omega Ratio Rank: 64
RNDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
RNDV Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

RNDV vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for US Equity Dividend Select ETF (RNDV) 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.

	RNDV	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.55	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	3.57	-1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.46	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	3.87	-1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.09	15.07	-6.98

RNDV vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RNDV Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is lower than the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RNDV 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

RNDV vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RNDV drawdown since its inception was -37.44%, roughly equal to the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RNDV and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	RNDV	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.44%	-35.74%	-1.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-7.46%	-1.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.70%	-16.36%	-3.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.71%	-24.28%	+4.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.21%	-0.02%	-2.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.84%	-6.12%	+1.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	1.91%	+1.02%

Volatility

RNDV vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

US Equity Dividend Select ETF (RNDV) has a higher volatility of 3.34% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 2.19%. This indicates that RNDV'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

	RNDV	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.34%	2.19%	+1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.98%	8.62%	+1.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.53%	11.31%	+2.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	15.06%	+1.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.80%	19.31%	-0.51%

RNDV vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

RNDV has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

RNDV vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

RNDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, more than RAFE's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.49%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RNDV US Equity Dividend Select ETF	2.53%	2.70%	2.55%	3.10%	2.52%	1.95%	2.44%	2.85%	4.09%	1.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RNDV and RAFE in my portfolio?

RNDV and RAFE have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RNDV or RAFE?

RNDV has higher volatility (3.34%) compared to RAFE (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RNDV dropped -37.44% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, RNDV or RAFE?

On 5-year performance, RAFE leads with 11.72% vs 9.93% for RNDV. 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, RNDV or RAFE?

Over the 5-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 11.72% return vs 9.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RNDV or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for RNDV.

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

RNDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.49% for RAFE.

What is the main difference between RNDV and RAFE?

RNDV tracks Nasdaq Riskalyze US Large Cap Select Dividend Index, while RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for RNDV and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.75), 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.