STRN vs. RAFE

Last updated Jul 30, 2026

STRN (SMART Trend ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - STRN is a Actively Managed fund actively managed by SmartWay, while RAFE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the RAFI ESG US Index. STRN is actively managed, while RAFE is passively managed. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. STRN charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

STRN vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SMART Trend ETF (STRN) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STRN achieves a 12.18% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 16.16% return.

STRN

• 1D: -3.25%
• 1M: -12.14%
• 6M: 5.42%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

RAFE

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 1.13%
• 6M: 14.08%
• YTD: 16.16%
• 1Y: 27.94%
• 3Y*: 17.84%
• 5Y*: 11.43%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.61%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	$563.29K	$548.06K	$615.36K
STRN SMART Trend ETF	$226.09K	$345.87K	$328.83K

STRN vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
STRN SMART Trend ETF	12.18%	10.48%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	16.16%	7.94%

Correlation

The correlation between STRN and RAFE is 0.64, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025	0.64

Return for Risk

STRN vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

STRN

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

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 92
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 92
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

STRN vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SMART Trend ETF (STRN) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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.

	STRN	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.45	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.42	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.43	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.76	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	14.90	—

Drawdowns

STRN vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STRN drawdown since its inception was -15.43%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STRN and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	STRN	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.43%	-35.74%	+20.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.46%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.33%	-1.40%	-12.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.24%	-6.09%	+2.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.89%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	STRN	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.93%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.67%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.95%	11.47%	+15.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.95%	15.05%	+11.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.95%	19.28%	+7.67%

STRN vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

STRN has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

STRN vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

STRN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than RAFE's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.49%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%
STRN SMART Trend ETF	0.16%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STRN and RAFE in my portfolio?

STRN and RAFE have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, STRN or RAFE?

On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, STRN or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for STRN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STRN or RAFE?

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.16% for STRN.

What is the main difference between STRN and RAFE?

STRN is categorized as Actively Managed, while RAFE is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: SmartWay and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for STRN and 0.30% for RAFE.