TBLU vs. FAAR
TBLU (Tortoise Global Water Fund) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TBLU is a Water Equities fund tracking the Tortoise Global Water ESG Net Total Return Index, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. TBLU is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, TBLU returned 4.24%/yr vs 7.72%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TBLU charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
TBLU vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TBLU achieves a -0.84% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 19.14% return.
TBLU
- 1D
- -0.58%
- 1M
- 0.88%
- YTD
- -0.84%
- 6M
- -2.19%
- 1Y
- -0.84%
- 3Y*
- 9.69%
- 5Y*
- 4.24%
- 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%
TBLU vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TBLU Tortoise Global Water Fund | -0.84% | 11.82% | 8.54% | 20.95% | -25.99% | 28.93% | 15.74% | 38.72% | -12.80% | 20.81% |
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% | 3.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between TBLU and FAAR is -0.15, 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 | -0.15 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2017 | 0.03 |
The correlation between TBLU and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to 0.03 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
TBLU vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
TBLU
FAAR
TBLU vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Tortoise Global Water Fund (TBLU) 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.
| TBLU | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.37 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.06 | 4.52 | -4.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.14 | 15.18 | -15.32 |
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Drawdowns
TBLU vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TBLU drawdown since its inception was -37.58%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBLU and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TBLU | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -37.58% | -18.03% | -19.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.17% | -6.29% | -6.88% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.42% | -11.54% | -3.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.36% | -18.03% | -17.33% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.03% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.61% | -6.29% | -4.32% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.16% | -7.82% | -0.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.98% | 1.87% | +4.11% |
Volatility
TBLU vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
Tortoise Global Water Fund (TBLU) has a higher volatility of 4.36% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.55%. This indicates that TBLU'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
| TBLU | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.36% | 2.55% | +1.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.78% | 9.68% | +2.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.73% | 13.38% | +1.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.35% | 12.96% | +4.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.95% | 11.54% | +7.41% |
TBLU vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
TBLU has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
TBLU vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
TBLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, 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% |
TBLU Tortoise Global Water Fund | 3.33% | 3.31% | 1.34% | 1.46% | 1.64% | 1.55% | 1.42% | 1.58% | 1.35% | 1.32% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TBLU and FAAR have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TBLU has higher volatility (4.36%) compared to FAAR (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBLU dropped -37.58% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 5-year performance, FAAR leads with 7.72% vs 4.24% for TBLU. On fees, TBLU is cheaper at 0.40% 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 4.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
TBLU is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.66%, compared with 3.33% for TBLU.
TBLU is categorized as Water Equities, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Tortoise and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for TBLU and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs -0.06), 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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