SYLD vs. BFOR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SYLD (Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF) and BFOR (ALPS Barron's 400 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SYLD is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Cambria, while BFOR is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Barron's 400 Index. SYLD is actively managed, while BFOR is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SYLD returned 13.04%/yr vs 12.42%/yr for BFOR. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SYLD charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for BFOR.

Performance

SYLD vs. BFOR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) and ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SYLD achieves a 14.24% return, which is significantly higher than BFOR's 10.43% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SYLD having a 13.04% annualized return and BFOR not far behind at 12.42%.

SYLD

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 14.24%
• 6M: 14.43%
• 1Y: 27.88%
• 3Y*: 13.67%
• 5Y*: 5.90%
• 10Y*: 13.04%

BFOR

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 2.06%
• YTD: 10.43%
• 6M: 12.30%
• 1Y: 23.81%
• 3Y*: 19.54%
• 5Y*: 10.24%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

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

SYLD vs. BFOR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SYLD Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF	14.24%	3.94%	3.37%	16.46%	-6.14%	48.59%	13.61%	26.98%	-13.51%	20.03%
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF	10.43%	13.85%	17.81%	18.19%	-15.92%	30.71%	17.60%	21.30%	-13.86%	19.37%

Correlation

The correlation between SYLD and BFOR is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2013	0.89

The correlation between SYLD and BFOR shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SYLD vs. BFOR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SYLD	BFOR
Consumer Cyclical	22.9%	11.1%
Financial Services	22.7%	21.3%
Energy	17.7%	7.8%
Industrials	8.1%	16.7%
Basic Materials	7.9%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.8%	4.2%
Communication Services	6.0%	3.6%
Healthcare	5.6%	12.0%
Technology	2.3%	18.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

SYLD vs. BFOR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SYLD

SYLD Risk / Return Rank: 59
SYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 60

BFOR

BFOR Risk / Return Rank: 49
BFOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
BFOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
BFOR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
BFOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
BFOR Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

SYLD vs. BFOR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) and ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR). 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.

	SYLD	BFOR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.62	+0.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	2.39	+0.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.28	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	2.63	+1.36
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	9.66	+1.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SYLD vs. BFOR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SYLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the BFOR Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SYLD and BFOR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SYLD	BFOR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	1.62	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.53	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.61	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.59	-0.02

Drawdowns

SYLD vs. BFOR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SYLD drawdown since its inception was -45.36%, which is greater than BFOR's maximum drawdown of -41.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYLD and BFOR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SYLD	BFOR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.36%	-41.27%	-4.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-8.98%	+2.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.62%	-21.91%	-4.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.62%	-25.93%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.36%	-41.27%	-4.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	0.00%	-0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.66%	-6.43%	+0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	2.45%	+0.10%

Volatility

SYLD vs. BFOR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) is 3.24%, while ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) has a volatility of 3.56%. This indicates that SYLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BFOR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SYLD	BFOR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.24%	3.56%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.92%	10.63%	-0.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.54%	14.79%	+0.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.62%	19.41%	+1.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.96%	20.42%	+2.54%

SYLD vs. BFOR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SYLD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than BFOR's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

SYLD vs. BFOR - Dividend Comparison

SYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, more than BFOR's 0.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF	0.54%	0.60%	0.69%	1.26%	1.68%	0.92%	0.98%	0.69%	0.94%	0.60%	0.78%	0.86%
SYLD Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF	1.86%	2.25%	2.04%	1.92%	2.20%	2.37%	1.99%	2.08%	2.52%	1.57%	1.92%	6.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SYLD and BFOR in my portfolio?

SYLD and BFOR have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SYLD or BFOR?

BFOR has higher volatility (3.56%) compared to SYLD (3.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYLD dropped -45.36% vs BFOR's -41.27%.

Which ETF is better, SYLD or BFOR?

On 10-year performance, SYLD leads with 13.04% vs 12.42% for BFOR. On fees, SYLD is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, SYLD has been the lower-risk option at 3.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SYLD or BFOR?

Over the 10-year period, SYLD has performed better with a 13.04% return vs 12.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SYLD or BFOR?

SYLD is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for BFOR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SYLD or BFOR?

SYLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.86%, compared with 0.54% for BFOR.

What is the main difference between SYLD and BFOR?

SYLD is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while BFOR is Mid Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Cambria and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for SYLD and 0.65% for BFOR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.62), 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.