SCOP vs. FAAR

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

SCOP (Sprott Physical Copper Trust) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCOP is a Copper fund actively managed by Sprott, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCOP charges 1.30%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

SCOP vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Physical Copper Trust (SCOP) and First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

SCOP

• 1D: -1.66%
• 1M: -13.74%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FAAR

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -3.29%
• 6M: 11.84%
• YTD: 16.33%
• 1Y: 22.70%
• 3Y*: 8.94%
• 5Y*: 7.03%
• 10Y*: 4.44%

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

SCOP vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
SCOP Sprott Physical Copper Trust	-13.67%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	-8.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SCOP and FAAR is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2026	0.21

Return for Risk

SCOP vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCOP

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FAAR

FAAR Risk / Return Rank: 65
FAAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
FAAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FAAR Omega Ratio Rank: 63
FAAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FAAR Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

SCOP vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Physical Copper Trust (SCOP) and First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). 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.

	SCOP	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.74	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.53	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.30	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.50	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	7.95	—

Drawdowns

SCOP vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCOP drawdown since its inception was -21.04%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCOP and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCOP	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.04%	-18.03%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.94%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.54%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.03%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.73%	-8.50%	-12.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.30%	-7.83%	-1.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.81%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SCOP	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.90%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.70%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.99%	12.90%	+25.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.99%	11.92%	+26.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.99%	11.55%	+26.44%

SCOP vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCOP has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCOP vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

SCOP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.84%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	9.84%	11.63%	3.45%	3.20%	5.82%	6.49%	3.05%	1.02%	0.58%	2.83%
SCOP Sprott Physical Copper Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCOP and FAAR in my portfolio?

SCOP and FAAR have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SCOP or FAAR?

On fees, FAAR is cheaper at 0.95% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCOP or FAAR?

FAAR is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.30% for SCOP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCOP or FAAR?

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.84%, compared with 0.00% for SCOP.

What is the main difference between SCOP and FAAR?

SCOP is categorized as Copper, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.30% for SCOP and 0.95% for FAAR.