UCIB vs. FAAR
UCIB (ETRACS CMCI Total Return ETN Series B) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both Commodities funds. UCIB is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, UCIB returned 10.54%/yr vs 4.20%/yr for FAAR. Their 0.36 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. UCIB charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
UCIB vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, UCIB achieves a 23.75% return, which is significantly higher than FAAR's 14.32% return. Over the past 10 years, UCIB has outperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 10.54%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively lower 4.20% annualized return.
UCIB
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 6.70%
- 6M
- 20.34%
- YTD
- 23.75%
- 1Y
- 32.01%
- 3Y*
- 11.45%
- 5Y*
- 12.44%
- 10Y*
- 10.54%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.77%
FAAR
- 1D
- -1.43%
- 1M
- -2.21%
- 6M
- 6.89%
- YTD
- 14.32%
- 1Y
- 20.01%
- 3Y*
- 8.41%
- 5Y*
- 7.00%
- 10Y*
- 4.20%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.09%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.39M | $1.09M | $1.71M | |
| $582.36K | $305.70K | $123.29K |
UCIB vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UCIB ETRACS CMCI Total Return ETN Series B | 23.75% | 8.97% | 6.58% | -2.26% | 18.24% | 37.34% | 1.10% | 10.86% | -9.48% | 5.85% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 14.32% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 5.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between UCIB and FAAR is 0.61, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.61 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.41 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.36 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | 0.36 |
Over the past year, UCIB and FAAR have become more correlated (0.61) than their long-term average of 0.36, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
UCIB vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
UCIB
FAAR
UCIB vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS CMCI Total Return ETN Series B (UCIB) 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.
| UCIB | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.77 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.95 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.28 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.42 | 2.00 | -0.58 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.13 | 6.00 | -1.87 |
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Drawdowns
UCIB vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum UCIB drawdown since its inception was -51.29%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UCIB and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| UCIB | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.29% | -18.03% | -33.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -22.67% | -10.08% | -12.59% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.67% | -11.54% | -11.13% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.67% | -18.03% | -4.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.94% | -18.03% | -18.91% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.37% | -10.08% | -3.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -20.97% | -7.83% | -13.14% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.77% | 3.35% | +4.42% |
Volatility
UCIB vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
ETRACS CMCI Total Return ETN Series B (UCIB) has a higher volatility of 22.90% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.52%. This indicates that UCIB'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
| UCIB | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 22.90% | 2.52% | +20.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 36.85% | 9.47% | +27.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 39.64% | 12.76% | +26.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.70% | 11.89% | +16.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.45% | 11.55% | +12.90% |
UCIB vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
UCIB has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
UCIB vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
UCIB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.01%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 10.01% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% |
UCIB ETRACS CMCI Total Return ETN Series B | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
UCIB and FAAR have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UCIB has higher volatility (22.90%) compared to FAAR (2.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UCIB dropped -51.29% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 10-year performance, UCIB leads with 10.54% vs 4.20% for FAAR. On fees, UCIB is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, UCIB has performed better with a 10.54% return vs 4.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
UCIB is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 10.01%, compared with 0.00% for UCIB.
They also come from different issuers: UBS and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for UCIB and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs 0.81), 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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