STRL vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

STRL (Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.) is a stock, while FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) is Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Over the past 10 years, STRL returned 67.87%/yr vs 4.69%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

STRL vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STRL achieves a 191.37% return, which is significantly higher than FAAR's 19.14% return. Over the past 10 years, STRL has outperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 67.87%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively lower 4.69% annualized return.

STRL

• 1D: -4.34%
• 1M: 21.74%
• YTD: 191.37%
• 6M: 182.47%
• 1Y: 301.01%
• 3Y*: 156.96%
• 5Y*: 107.56%
• 10Y*: 67.87%

FAAR

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: -5.21%
• YTD: 19.14%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 28.33%
• 3Y*: 10.57%
• 5Y*: 7.72%
• 10Y*: 4.69%

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

STRL vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STRL Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.	191.37%	81.79%	91.57%	168.08%	24.71%	41.32%	32.17%	29.29%	-33.11%	92.43%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	19.14%	8.07%	5.97%	-5.63%	10.15%	12.34%	8.60%	-1.28%	-9.17%	5.00%

Correlation

The correlation between STRL and FAAR is -0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016	0.06

Return for Risk

STRL vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

STRL

STRL Risk / Return Rank: 96
STRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
STRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
STRL Omega Ratio Rank: 94
STRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
STRL Martin Ratio Rank: 97

FAAR

FAAR Risk / Return Rank: 75
FAAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FAAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
FAAR Omega Ratio Rank: 65
FAAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
FAAR Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

STRL vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) 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.

	STRL	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.67	2.15	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	3.09	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.37	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.78	4.52	+5.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.42	15.18	+11.25

STRL vs. FAAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STRL Sharpe Ratio is 3.67, which is higher than the FAAR Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STRL and FAAR, 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

STRL vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STRL drawdown since its inception was -92.51%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STRL and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	STRL	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.51%	-18.03%	-74.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.02%	-6.29%	-24.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-47.67%	-11.54%	-36.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.67%	-18.03%	-29.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.60%	-18.03%	-41.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.21%	-6.29%	-3.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-46.26%	-7.82%	-38.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.45%	1.87%	+9.58%

Volatility

STRL vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) has a higher volatility of 25.63% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.55%. This indicates that STRL'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.

Volatility by Period

	STRL	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.63%	2.55%	+23.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	63.91%	9.68%	+54.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	82.73%	13.38%	+69.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	57.43%	12.96%	+44.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.66%	11.54%	+42.12%

Dividends

STRL vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

STRL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.66%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	9.66%	11.63%	3.45%	3.20%	5.82%	6.49%	3.05%	1.02%	0.58%	2.83%
STRL Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.	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 STRL and FAAR in my portfolio?

STRL and FAAR have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STRL or FAAR?

STRL has higher volatility (25.63%) compared to FAAR (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STRL dropped -92.51% vs FAAR's -18.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STRL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.67 vs 2.15), 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.