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 4.43%/yr vs 6.99%/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 1.99% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 16.11% return.
TBLU
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- 2.24%
- 6M
- -2.46%
- YTD
- 1.99%
- 1Y
- 0.83%
- 3Y*
- 9.28%
- 5Y*
- 4.43%
- 10Y*
- —
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.75%
- 1M
- -5.04%
- 6M
- 10.91%
- YTD
- 16.11%
- 1Y
- 23.10%
- 3Y*
- 9.08%
- 5Y*
- 6.99%
- 10Y*
- 4.22%
TBLU vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TBLU Tortoise Global Water Fund | 1.99% | 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 | 16.11% | 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 | -0.03 |
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 | -1.74 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.02 | 1.31 | -0.29 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.06 | 2.60 | -2.53 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.13 | 8.56 | -8.43 |
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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% | -8.94% | -4.23% |
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 | -8.06% | -8.67% | +0.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.16% | -7.82% | -0.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.28% | 2.70% | +3.58% |
Volatility
TBLU vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
Tortoise Global Water Fund (TBLU) has a higher volatility of 4.10% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.85%. 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 | 4.10% | 2.85% | +1.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.91% | 9.79% | +2.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.84% | 12.90% | +1.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.38% | 11.93% | +5.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.92% | 11.55% | +7.37% |
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 3.47%, less than FAAR's 9.86% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.86% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% |
TBLU Tortoise Global Water Fund | 3.47% | 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 (4.10%) compared to FAAR (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBLU dropped -37.58% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 5-year performance, FAAR leads with 6.99% vs 4.43% for TBLU. On fees, TBLU is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. 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 6.99% return vs 4.43%. 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 9.86%, compared with 3.47% 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 (1.80 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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