TIP vs. FAAR
TIP (iShares TIPS Bond ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TIP is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bond Index, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. TIP is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, TIP returned 2.53%/yr vs 4.91%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TIP charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
TIP vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TIP achieves a 1.40% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 22.65% return. Over the past 10 years, TIP has underperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 2.53%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively higher 4.91% annualized return.
TIP
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- 0.25%
- YTD
- 1.40%
- 6M
- 1.42%
- 1Y
- 4.76%
- 3Y*
- 4.00%
- 5Y*
- 0.91%
- 10Y*
- 2.53%
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- -3.07%
- YTD
- 22.65%
- 6M
- 22.23%
- 1Y
- 29.62%
- 3Y*
- 11.36%
- 5Y*
- 7.51%
- 10Y*
- 4.91%
TIP vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TIP iShares TIPS Bond ETF | 1.40% | 6.77% | 1.65% | 3.80% | -12.26% | 5.68% | 10.84% | 8.35% | -1.42% | 2.92% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 22.65% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 5.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between TIP and FAAR is -0.08, 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 | -0.08 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.03 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | 0.05 |
The correlation between TIP and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (1 year) to 0.05 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
TIP vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
TIP
FAAR
TIP vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP) 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.
| TIP | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.36 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.42 | -0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.34 | 6.79 | -4.45 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.00 | 18.23 | -11.23 |
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Drawdowns
TIP vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TIP drawdown since its inception was -14.57%, smaller than the maximum FAAR drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIP and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TIP | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.57% | -18.03% | +3.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.98% | -4.85% | +2.87% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.54% | -11.54% | +7.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.51% | -18.03% | +3.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.51% | -18.03% | +3.52% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.46% | -3.52% | +3.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.43% | -7.83% | +4.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.66% | 1.80% | -1.14% |
Volatility
TIP vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP) is 1.03%, while First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) has a volatility of 2.28%. This indicates that TIP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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
| TIP | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.03% | 2.28% | -1.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.32% | 9.69% | -7.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.39% | 13.49% | -10.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.21% | 13.02% | -6.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.74% | 11.52% | -5.78% |
TIP vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
TIP has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
TIP vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
TIP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.76%, less than FAAR's 9.38% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.38% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
TIP iShares TIPS Bond ETF | 3.76% | 3.46% | 2.52% | 2.73% | 6.96% | 4.28% | 1.17% | 1.75% | 2.71% | 2.07% | 1.48% | 0.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TIP and FAAR have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAAR has higher volatility (2.28%) compared to TIP (1.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIP dropped -14.57% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 10-year performance, FAAR leads with 4.91% vs 2.53% for TIP. On fees, TIP is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, TIP has been the lower-risk option at 1.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 4.91% return vs 2.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
TIP is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.38%, compared with 3.76% for TIP.
TIP is categorized as Inflation-Protected Bonds, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for TIP and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.37), 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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