RSST vs. RAFE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

RSST (Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. RSST is actively managed, while RAFE is passively managed. Over the past year, RSST returned 47.14% vs 31.75% for RAFE. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RSST charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

RSST vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF (RSST) 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, RSST achieves a 14.96% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 16.68% return.

RSST

• 1D: 1.26%
• 1M: 1.13%
• 6M: 10.06%
• YTD: 14.96%
• 1Y: 47.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.03%

RAFE

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 1.12%
• 6M: 14.64%
• YTD: 16.68%
• 1Y: 31.75%
• 3Y*: 18.09%
• 5Y*: 11.54%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.67%

*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)
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	$564.44K	$467.39K	$607.84K
RSST Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF	$2.69M	$3.70M	$3.80M

RSST vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
RSST Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF	14.96%	19.91%	18.37%	1.58%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	16.68%	17.60%	13.81%	8.60%

Correlation

The correlation between RSST and RAFE is 0.71, 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.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2023	0.72

The correlation between RSST and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RSST vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSST

RSST Risk / Return Rank: 78
RSST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
RSST Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
RSST Omega Ratio Rank: 75
RSST Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
RSST Martin Ratio Rank: 81

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 93
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 93
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

RSST vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF (RSST) 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.

	RSST	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	2.67	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	3.70	-1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.48	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	4.09	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.47	16.26	-5.78

RSST vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSST Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is lower than the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSST 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

RSST vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSST drawdown since its inception was -30.80%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSST and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSST	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.80%	-35.74%	+4.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.71%	-7.46%	-4.25%
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	-6.24%	-0.96%	-5.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.02%	-6.08%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.95%	1.87%	+2.08%

Volatility

RSST vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF (RSST) has a higher volatility of 4.47% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 3.01%. This indicates that RSST'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

	RSST	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	3.01%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.48%	8.70%	+7.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.27%	11.48%	+11.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.24%	15.05%	+9.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.24%	19.27%	+4.97%

RSST vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSST has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSST vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

RSST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than RAFE's 1.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.48%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%
RSST Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF	0.98%	1.12%	0.09%	0.93%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSST and RAFE in my portfolio?

RSST and RAFE have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSST or RAFE?

RSST has higher volatility (4.47%) compared to RAFE (3.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSST dropped -30.80% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, RSST or RAFE?

On 1-year performance, RSST leads with 47.14% vs 31.75% for RAFE. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 3.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSST or RAFE?

Over the 1-year period, RSST has performed better with a 47.14% return vs 31.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSST or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for RSST.

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

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.48%, compared with 0.98% for RSST.

What is the main difference between RSST and RAFE?

They also come from different issuers: Return Stacked and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for RSST and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.78), 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.