TLTW vs. FIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLTW (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF) and FIAX (Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TLTW is a Options Trading fund tracking the CBOE TLT 2% OTM Buywrite Index (USD), while FIAX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund actively managed by Nicholas. TLTW is passively managed, while FIAX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, TLTW returned 0.74%/yr vs 3.47%/yr for FIAX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TLTW charges 0.35%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for FIAX.

Performance

TLTW vs. FIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF (TLTW) and Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TLTW having a 1.21% return and FIAX slightly higher at 1.22%.

TLTW

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 1.21%
• 6M: -0.20%
• 1Y: 10.46%
• 3Y*: 0.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FIAX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 1.22%
• 6M: 1.19%
• 1Y: 4.66%
• 3Y*: 3.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TLTW vs. FIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
TLTW iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF	1.21%	11.36%	-2.18%	0.73%	-4.11%
FIAX Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF	1.22%	2.33%	4.67%	3.44%	-0.30%

Correlation

The correlation between TLTW and FIAX is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2022	0.30

Return for Risk

TLTW vs. FIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLTW

TLTW Risk / Return Rank: 36
TLTW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
TLTW Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
TLTW Omega Ratio Rank: 35
TLTW Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
TLTW Martin Ratio Rank: 34

FIAX

FIAX Risk / Return Rank: 35
FIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
FIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
FIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

TLTW vs. FIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF (TLTW) and Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX). 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.

	TLTW	FIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.13	+0.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	1.67	+0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.21	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	1.95	-0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.28	7.11	-1.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLTW vs. FIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLTW Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the FIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLTW and FIAX, 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

	TLTW	FIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	1.13	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.03	0.81	-0.83

Drawdowns

TLTW vs. FIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLTW drawdown since its inception was -18.61%, which is greater than FIAX's maximum drawdown of -6.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLTW and FIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLTW	FIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.61%	-6.26%	-12.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.97%	-2.40%	-3.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.19%	-6.26%	-10.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.20%	-0.32%	-2.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.25%	-0.85%	-7.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	0.66%	+1.33%

Volatility

TLTW vs. FIAX - Volatility Comparison

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF (TLTW) has a higher volatility of 2.48% compared to Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF (FIAX) at 1.43%. This indicates that TLTW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLTW	FIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.48%	1.43%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.79%	3.40%	+2.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.70%	4.14%	+3.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.39%	4.05%	+7.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.39%	4.05%	+7.34%

TLTW vs. FIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLTW has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FIAX's 1.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLTW vs. FIAX - Dividend Comparison

TLTW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.76%, more than FIAX's 8.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
FIAX Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF	8.19%	8.17%	8.11%	4.81%	0.00%
TLTW iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF	11.76%	14.82%	14.47%	19.59%	8.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLTW and FIAX in my portfolio?

TLTW and FIAX have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLTW or FIAX?

TLTW has higher volatility (2.48%) compared to FIAX (1.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLTW dropped -18.61% vs FIAX's -6.26%.

Which ETF is better, TLTW or FIAX?

On 3-year performance, FIAX leads with 3.47% vs 0.74% for TLTW. On fees, TLTW is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FIAX has been the lower-risk option at 1.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TLTW or FIAX?

Over the 3-year period, FIAX has performed better with a 3.47% return vs 0.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TLTW or FIAX?

TLTW is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for FIAX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TLTW or FIAX?

TLTW has the higher dividend yield at 11.76%, compared with 8.19% for FIAX.

What is the main difference between TLTW and FIAX?

TLTW is categorized as Options Trading, while FIAX is Nontraditional Bonds. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Nicholas. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for TLTW and 1.04% for FIAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLTW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs 1.13), 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.