TMFS vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TMFS (Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TMFS is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Motley Fool, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, TMFS returned -1.68%/yr vs 8.07%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TMFS charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.

Performance

TMFS vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF (TMFS) and First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TMFS achieves a -4.69% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 25.73% return.

TMFS

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: -3.92%
• YTD: -4.69%
• 6M: -6.04%
• 1Y: -3.97%
• 3Y*: 6.32%
• 5Y*: -1.68%
• 10Y*: —

FAAR

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: 25.73%
• 6M: 23.17%
• 1Y: 40.73%
• 3Y*: 11.79%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 5.17%

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

TMFS vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
TMFS Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF	-4.69%	-1.59%	15.41%	25.40%	-33.15%	-2.38%	58.52%	40.19%	-8.11%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	25.73%	8.07%	5.97%	-5.63%	10.15%	12.34%	8.60%	-1.28%	-2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between TMFS and FAAR is -0.11, 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	-0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2018	0.02

The correlation between TMFS and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TMFS vs. FAAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TMFS	FAAR
Technology	26.6%	-
Industrials	23.8%	-
Healthcare	20.9%	-
Financial Services	13.1%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.8%	-
Real Estate	5.2%	-
Basic Materials	2.4%	-
Energy	2.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TMFS vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

TMFS

TMFS Risk / Return Rank: 6
TMFS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
TMFS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
TMFS Omega Ratio Rank: 6
TMFS Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
TMFS Martin Ratio Rank: 6

FAAR

FAAR Risk / Return Rank: 90
FAAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FAAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FAAR Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FAAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FAAR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

TMFS vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF (TMFS) 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.

	TMFS	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	3.04	-3.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.16	4.23	-4.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.52	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.25	8.44	-8.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.70	23.64	-24.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TMFS vs. FAAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TMFS Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the FAAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TMFS and FAAR, 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

	TMFS	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20	3.04	-3.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.07	0.62	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.45	-0.13

Drawdowns

TMFS vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TMFS drawdown since its inception was -48.79%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMFS and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	TMFS	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.79%	-18.03%	-30.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.73%	-4.85%	-10.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.05%	-11.54%	-15.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.68%	-18.03%	-27.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.03%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.78%	-1.11%	-21.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.47%	-7.85%	-11.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.68%	1.73%	+3.95%

Volatility

TMFS vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison

Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF (TMFS) has a higher volatility of 5.23% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.44%. This indicates that TMFS'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.

Volatility by Period

	TMFS	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.23%	2.44%	+2.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.98%	9.72%	+4.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.62%	13.48%	+6.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.93%	13.02%	+9.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.52%	11.51%	+14.01%

TMFS vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

TMFS has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

TMFS vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

TMFS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.15%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	9.15%	11.63%	3.45%	3.20%	5.82%	6.49%	3.05%	1.02%	0.58%	2.83%
TMFS Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.34%	2.37%	5.57%	2.65%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TMFS and FAAR in my portfolio?

TMFS and FAAR have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TMFS or FAAR?

TMFS has higher volatility (5.23%) compared to FAAR (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMFS dropped -48.79% vs FAAR's -18.03%.

Which ETF is better, TMFS or FAAR?

On 5-year performance, FAAR leads with 8.07% vs -1.68% for TMFS. On fees, TMFS is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TMFS or FAAR?

Over the 5-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 8.07% return vs -1.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TMFS or FAAR?

TMFS is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TMFS or FAAR?

FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.15%, compared with 0.00% for TMFS.

What is the main difference between TMFS and FAAR?

TMFS is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Motley Fool and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for TMFS and 0.95% for FAAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs -0.20), 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.