SFEB vs. AIRR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SFEB (FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February) and AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SFEB is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index. SFEB is actively managed, while AIRR is passively managed. Over the past year, SFEB returned 23.07% vs 63.63% for AIRR. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SFEB charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIRR.

Performance

SFEB vs. AIRR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February (SFEB) 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, SFEB achieves a 10.55% return, which is significantly lower than AIRR's 31.81% return.

SFEB

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 1.52%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 9.53%
• 1Y: 23.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AIRR

• 1D: -2.80%
• 1M: 3.57%
• YTD: 31.81%
• 6M: 27.48%
• 1Y: 63.63%
• 3Y*: 36.68%
• 5Y*: 25.97%
• 10Y*: 22.05%

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

SFEB vs. AIRR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SFEB FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February	10.55%	9.24%	9.37%
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	31.81%	27.92%	27.35%

Correlation

The correlation between SFEB and AIRR is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2024	0.83

The correlation between SFEB and AIRR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SFEB vs. AIRR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFEB

SFEB Risk / Return Rank: 86
SFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
SFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
SFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 82
SFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 89

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 79
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 67
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
AIRR Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

SFEB vs. AIRR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February (SFEB) 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.

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.

	SFEB	AIRR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	2.43	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	3.13	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.38	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.44	4.89	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.15	17.83	+0.31

SFEB vs. AIRR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the AIRR Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFEB 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.

Drawdowns

SFEB vs. AIRR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFEB drawdown since its inception was -16.67%, smaller than the maximum AIRR drawdown of -42.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFEB and AIRR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFEB	AIRR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.67%	-42.37%	+25.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.22%	-13.09%	+7.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.95%	—
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	-0.52%	-2.80%	+2.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-7.47%	+5.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	3.58%	-2.31%

Volatility

SFEB vs. AIRR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February (SFEB) is 2.60%, while First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) has a volatility of 8.80%. This indicates that SFEB 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

	SFEB	AIRR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.60%	8.80%	-6.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.75%	20.63%	-13.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.56%	26.40%	-16.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.02%	25.45%	-13.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.02%	26.33%	-14.31%

SFEB vs. AIRR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFEB has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than AIRR's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFEB vs. AIRR - Dividend Comparison

SFEB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AIRR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.13%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
SFEB FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February	0.00%	0.00%	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 SFEB and AIRR in my portfolio?

SFEB and AIRR have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SFEB or AIRR?

AIRR has higher volatility (8.80%) compared to SFEB (2.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFEB dropped -16.67% vs AIRR's -42.37%.

Which ETF is better, SFEB or AIRR?

On 1-year performance, AIRR leads with 63.63% vs 23.07% for SFEB. On fees, AIRR is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, SFEB has been the lower-risk option at 2.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SFEB or AIRR?

Over the 1-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 63.63% return vs 23.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SFEB or AIRR?

AIRR is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SFEB.

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

AIRR has the higher dividend yield at 0.13%, compared with 0.00% for SFEB.

What is the main difference between SFEB and AIRR?

SFEB is categorized as Defined Outcome, while AIRR is Building & Construction. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SFEB and 0.69% for AIRR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.43), 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.