SXQG vs. FAAR
SXQG (ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SXQG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Meridian, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SXQG returned 4.23%/yr vs 7.72%/yr for FAAR. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. SXQG charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
SXQG vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SXQG achieves a -6.02% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 19.14% return.
SXQG
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- -3.46%
- YTD
- -6.02%
- 6M
- -6.98%
- 1Y
- -1.59%
- 3Y*
- 9.26%
- 5Y*
- 4.23%
- 10Y*
- —
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%
SXQG vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SXQG ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF | -6.02% | 4.43% | 18.77% | 28.32% | -23.93% | 12.62% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 19.14% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | -0.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between SXQG and FAAR is -0.07, 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 | -0.07 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2021 | -0.01 |
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Return for Risk
SXQG vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
SXQG
FAAR
SXQG vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF (SXQG) 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.
| SXQG | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.37 | -0.38 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.11 | 4.52 | -4.64 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.31 | 15.18 | -15.49 |
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Drawdowns
SXQG vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SXQG drawdown since its inception was -33.97%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SXQG and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SXQG | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.97% | -18.03% | -15.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.03% | -6.29% | -7.74% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.53% | -11.54% | -7.99% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.97% | -18.03% | -15.94% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.03% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.77% | -6.29% | -2.48% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.07% | -7.82% | -2.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.12% | 1.87% | +3.25% |
Volatility
SXQG vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF (SXQG) has a higher volatility of 3.97% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.55%. This indicates that SXQG'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
| SXQG | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.97% | 2.55% | +1.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.43% | 9.68% | -0.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.77% | 13.38% | -1.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.02% | 12.96% | +5.06% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.93% | 11.54% | +6.39% |
SXQG vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
SXQG has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
SXQG vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
SXQG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than FAAR's 9.66% yield.
| 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% |
SXQG ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF | 0.07% | 0.15% | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SXQG and FAAR have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SXQG has higher volatility (3.97%) compared to FAAR (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SXQG dropped -33.97% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 5-year performance, FAAR leads with 7.72% vs 4.23% for SXQG. On fees, FAAR is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 7.72% return vs 4.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FAAR is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for SXQG.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.66%, compared with 0.07% for SXQG.
SXQG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Meridian and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for SXQG and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs -0.14), 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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