SEA vs. AIRR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SEA (U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF) and AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEA is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance (TR). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEA returned 18.84%/yr vs 36.86%/yr for AIRR. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SEA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for AIRR.

Performance

SEA vs. AIRR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEA achieves a 21.77% return, which is significantly lower than AIRR's 31.07% return.

SEA

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -0.78%
• YTD: 21.77%
• 6M: 22.72%
• 1Y: 31.32%
• 3Y*: 18.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AIRR

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 31.07%
• 6M: 31.98%
• 1Y: 69.06%
• 3Y*: 36.86%
• 5Y*: 25.47%
• 10Y*: 21.83%

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

SEA vs. AIRR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	21.77%	16.78%	2.52%	19.33%	-17.28%
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	31.07%	27.92%	33.45%	31.43%	7.22%

Correlation

The correlation between SEA and AIRR is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2022	0.50

The correlation between SEA and AIRR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.42 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

SEA vs. AIRR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SEA	AIRR
Industrials	82.7%	84.6%
Energy	17.3%	3.8%
Communication Services	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	9.6%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-
Technology	-1.6%	0.5%

Return for Risk

SEA vs. AIRR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEA

SEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
SEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SEA Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SEA Martin Ratio Rank: 67

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 81
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 71
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
AIRR 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.

SEA vs. AIRR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). 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.

	SEA	AIRR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.73	-0.80
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	3.49	-0.78
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.43	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	5.23	-2.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.65	19.40	-6.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEA vs. AIRR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the AIRR Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEA and AIRR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SEA	AIRR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	2.73	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.01	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.67	-0.26

Drawdowns

SEA vs. AIRR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEA drawdown since its inception was -39.53%, smaller than the maximum AIRR drawdown of -42.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEA and AIRR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEA	AIRR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.53%	-42.37%	+2.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.67%	-13.09%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.42%	-27.95%	-4.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.95%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.28%	-2.39%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.32%	-7.43%	-6.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	3.53%	-0.92%

Volatility

SEA vs. AIRR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) is 5.43%, while First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) has a volatility of 8.05%. This indicates that SEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIRR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEA	AIRR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.43%	8.05%	-2.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.98%	19.88%	-7.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.30%	25.41%	-9.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.68%	25.29%	-3.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.68%	26.29%	-4.61%

SEA vs. AIRR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than AIRR's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEA vs. AIRR - Dividend Comparison

SEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.55%, more than AIRR's 0.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.14%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	5.55%	6.76%	18.47%	9.85%	18.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEA and AIRR in my portfolio?

SEA and AIRR have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEA or AIRR?

AIRR has higher volatility (8.05%) compared to SEA (5.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEA dropped -39.53% vs AIRR's -42.37%.

Which ETF is better, SEA or AIRR?

On 3-year performance, AIRR leads with 36.86% vs 18.84% for SEA. On fees, SEA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, SEA has been the lower-risk option at 5.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEA or AIRR?

Over the 3-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 36.86% return vs 18.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEA or AIRR?

SEA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for AIRR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEA or AIRR?

SEA has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 0.14% for AIRR.

What is the main difference between SEA and AIRR?

SEA is categorized as Industrials Equities, while AIRR is Building & Construction. SEA tracks U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while AIRR tracks Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance (TR). They also come from different issuers: US Global and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SEA and 0.70% for AIRR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.94), 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.