SWAN vs. TAIL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SWAN (Amplify BlackSwan Growth & Treasury Core ETF) and TAIL (Cambria Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SWAN is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the S-Network BlackSwan Core Index, while TAIL is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund actively managed by Cambria. SWAN is passively managed, while TAIL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SWAN returned 3.05%/yr vs -8.40%/yr for TAIL. At a correlation of -0.23, they often move in opposite directions. SWAN charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for TAIL.

Performance

SWAN vs. TAIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amplify BlackSwan Growth & Treasury Core ETF (SWAN) and Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWAN achieves a 3.83% return, which is significantly higher than TAIL's -5.78% return.

SWAN

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 3.97%
• 1Y: 15.52%
• 3Y*: 12.40%
• 5Y*: 3.05%
• 10Y*: —

TAIL

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: -5.78%
• 6M: -6.25%
• 1Y: -8.88%
• 3Y*: -4.93%
• 5Y*: -8.40%
• 10Y*: —

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

SWAN vs. TAIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SWAN Amplify BlackSwan Growth & Treasury Core ETF	3.83%	13.93%	13.44%	12.07%	-27.77%	10.55%	16.17%	22.03%	-2.27%
TAIL Cambria Tail Risk ETF	-5.78%	5.48%	-9.62%	-13.29%	-13.13%	-12.81%	6.91%	-14.27%	11.24%

Correlation

The correlation between SWAN and TAIL is -0.29, 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	-0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2018	-0.23

The correlation between SWAN and TAIL shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to -0.18 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SWAN vs. TAIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWAN

SWAN Risk / Return Rank: 50
SWAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SWAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SWAN Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SWAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SWAN Martin Ratio Rank: 53

TAIL

TAIL Risk / Return Rank: 2
TAIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
TAIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
TAIL Omega Ratio Rank: 2
TAIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
TAIL Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

SWAN vs. TAIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify BlackSwan Growth & Treasury Core ETF (SWAN) and Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL). 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.

	SWAN	TAIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	-1.00	+2.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	-1.43	+3.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	0.84	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	-0.78	+2.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.04	-1.82	+9.86

SWAN vs. TAIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWAN Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is higher than the TAIL Sharpe Ratio of -1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWAN and TAIL, 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

SWAN vs. TAIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWAN drawdown since its inception was -31.04%, smaller than the maximum TAIL drawdown of -52.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWAN and TAIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWAN	TAIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.04%	-52.36%	+21.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.05%	-10.99%	+3.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.07%	-20.69%	+8.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.04%	-38.44%	+7.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-51.35%	+49.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.85%	-29.18%	+20.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.83%	4.68%	-2.85%

Volatility

SWAN vs. TAIL - Volatility Comparison

Amplify BlackSwan Growth & Treasury Core ETF (SWAN) has a higher volatility of 3.95% compared to Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL) at 1.51%. This indicates that SWAN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TAIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWAN	TAIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	1.51%	+2.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.78%	6.56%	+1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.78%	8.51%	+1.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.39%	14.91%	-3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.49%	14.92%	-2.43%

SWAN vs. TAIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWAN has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than TAIL's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWAN vs. TAIL - Dividend Comparison

SWAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.83%, less than TAIL's 3.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWAN Amplify BlackSwan Growth & Treasury Core ETF	2.83%	2.86%	2.54%	2.98%	2.12%	5.04%	1.64%	3.69%	0.29%	0.00%
TAIL Cambria Tail Risk ETF	3.48%	2.88%	3.48%	3.74%	1.50%	0.49%	0.36%	1.58%	1.52%	0.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWAN and TAIL in my portfolio?

SWAN and TAIL have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWAN or TAIL?

SWAN has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to TAIL (1.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWAN dropped -31.04% vs TAIL's -52.36%.

Which ETF is better, SWAN or TAIL?

On 5-year performance, SWAN leads with 3.05% vs -8.40% for TAIL. On fees, SWAN is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, TAIL has been the lower-risk option at 1.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SWAN or TAIL?

Over the 5-year period, SWAN has performed better with a 3.05% return vs -8.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SWAN or TAIL?

SWAN is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for TAIL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SWAN or TAIL?

TAIL has the higher dividend yield at 3.48%, compared with 2.83% for SWAN.

What is the main difference between SWAN and TAIL?

SWAN is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while TAIL is Volatility Hedged Equity. They also come from different issuers: Amplify and Cambria. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for SWAN and 0.59% for TAIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs -1.00), 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.