SOCL vs. FAAR
SOCL (Global X Social Media ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOCL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Solactive Social Media Index, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. SOCL is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOCL returned 8.32%/yr vs 4.79%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SOCL charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
SOCL vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SOCL achieves a -20.63% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 20.23% return. Over the past 10 years, SOCL has outperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 8.32%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively lower 4.79% annualized return.
SOCL
- 1D
- -2.81%
- 1M
- -1.14%
- YTD
- -20.63%
- 6M
- -20.55%
- 1Y
- -14.70%
- 3Y*
- 6.55%
- 5Y*
- -8.85%
- 10Y*
- 8.32%
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -4.34%
- YTD
- 20.23%
- 6M
- 19.92%
- 1Y
- 26.86%
- 3Y*
- 10.91%
- 5Y*
- 7.89%
- 10Y*
- 4.79%
SOCL vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOCL Global X Social Media ETF | -20.63% | 31.04% | 5.08% | 31.08% | -42.23% | -12.84% | 78.35% | 25.74% | -16.39% | 54.65% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 20.23% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 5.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between SOCL and FAAR is -0.11, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.03 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.04 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | 0.04 |
The correlation between SOCL and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SOCL vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
SOCL
FAAR
SOCL vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Social Media ETF (SOCL) 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.
| SOCL | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.64 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.63 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.92 | 1.35 | -0.43 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.44 | 4.75 | -5.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.88 | 14.70 | -15.58 |
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Drawdowns
SOCL vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SOCL drawdown since its inception was -68.70%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOCL and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SOCL | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -68.70% | -18.03% | -50.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -33.52% | -5.68% | -27.84% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -33.52% | -11.54% | -21.98% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -66.32% | -18.03% | -48.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -68.70% | -18.03% | -50.67% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -42.98% | -5.43% | -37.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -22.01% | -7.82% | -14.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.71% | 1.89% | +14.82% |
Volatility
SOCL vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
Global X Social Media ETF (SOCL) has a higher volatility of 9.38% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.47%. This indicates that SOCL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SOCL | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.38% | 2.47% | +6.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.12% | 9.68% | +9.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.98% | 13.37% | +10.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.84% | 12.95% | +16.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.61% | 11.53% | +16.08% |
SOCL vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
SOCL has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
SOCL vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
SOCL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than FAAR's 9.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.57% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SOCL Global X Social Media ETF | 0.54% | 0.43% | 0.25% | 0.61% | 0.39% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.49% | 0.18% | 0.01% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SOCL and FAAR have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOCL has higher volatility (9.38%) compared to FAAR (2.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOCL dropped -68.70% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 10-year performance, SOCL leads with 8.32% vs 4.79% for FAAR. On fees, SOCL is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SOCL has performed better with a 8.32% return vs 4.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SOCL is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.57%, compared with 0.54% for SOCL.
SOCL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Global X and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SOCL and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs -0.62), 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.
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