UCON vs. REK

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

UCON (First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF) and REK (ProShares Short Real Estate) are both exchange-traded funds - UCON is a Nontraditional Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while REK is a REIT fund tracking the DJ Global United States (All) / Real Estate -SS (-100%). UCON is actively managed, while REK is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UCON returned 2.82%/yr vs -0.02%/yr for REK. At a correlation of -0.25, they often move in opposite directions. UCON charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for REK.

Performance

UCON vs. REK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) and ProShares Short Real Estate (REK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UCON achieves a 0.83% return, which is significantly higher than REK's -6.12% return.

UCON

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.07%
• 1Y: 5.80%
• 3Y*: 5.77%
• 5Y*: 2.82%
• 10Y*: —

REK

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 2.28%
• YTD: -6.12%
• 6M: -5.14%
• 1Y: -2.16%
• 3Y*: -3.53%
• 5Y*: -0.02%
• 10Y*: -6.15%

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

UCON vs. REK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	0.83%	7.00%	4.69%	7.72%	-5.72%	1.02%	6.54%	7.39%	1.11%
REK ProShares Short Real Estate	-6.12%	2.35%	1.42%	-6.61%	29.17%	-30.58%	-11.33%	-20.96%	3.05%

Correlation

The correlation between UCON and REK is -0.43, 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	-0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2018	-0.25

The correlation between UCON and REK shifts across timeframes, from -0.43 (1 year) to -0.25 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

UCON vs. REK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UCON	REK
Utilities	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	46.7%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

UCON vs. REK — Risk / Return Rank

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

UCON

UCON Risk / Return Rank: 55
UCON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
UCON Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
UCON Omega Ratio Rank: 60
UCON Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
UCON Martin Ratio Rank: 52

REK

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

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.

UCON vs. REK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) and ProShares Short Real Estate (REK). 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.

	UCON	REK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	-0.16	+2.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	-0.14	+2.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	0.98	+0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	-0.22	+2.51
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.94	-0.51	+9.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UCON vs. REK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UCON Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is higher than the REK Sharpe Ratio of -0.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UCON and REK, 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

	UCON	REK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	-0.16	+2.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	-0.00	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.30	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	-0.49	+1.12

Drawdowns

UCON vs. REK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UCON drawdown since its inception was -15.31%, smaller than the maximum REK drawdown of -84.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UCON and REK.

Drawdown Indicators

	UCON	REK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.31%	-84.57%	+69.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.45%	-10.23%	+7.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.85%	-26.93%	+24.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.60%	-26.93%	+17.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-58.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-81.86%	+81.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.48%	-64.07%	+62.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	4.40%	-3.77%

Volatility

UCON vs. REK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) is 1.13%, while ProShares Short Real Estate (REK) has a volatility of 3.88%. This indicates that UCON experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than REK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UCON	REK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	3.88%	-2.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.32%	9.75%	-7.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.98%	13.42%	-10.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.89%	18.86%	-14.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.89%	20.30%	-14.41%

UCON vs. REK - Expense Ratio Comparison

UCON has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is lower than REK's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

UCON vs. REK - Dividend Comparison

UCON's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.65%, more than REK's 3.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
REK ProShares Short Real Estate	3.25%	3.43%	6.22%	4.50%	0.48%	0.00%	0.07%	1.28%	0.43%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	4.65%	4.63%	4.95%	4.75%	3.12%	2.20%	3.14%	3.25%	1.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UCON and REK in my portfolio?

UCON and REK have a correlation of -0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UCON or REK?

REK has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to UCON (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UCON dropped -15.31% vs REK's -84.57%.

Which ETF is better, UCON or REK?

On 5-year performance, UCON leads with 2.82% vs -0.02% for REK. On fees, UCON is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, UCON has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UCON or REK?

Over the 5-year period, UCON has performed better with a 2.82% return vs -0.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UCON or REK?

UCON is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for REK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UCON or REK?

UCON has the higher dividend yield at 4.65%, compared with 3.25% for REK.

What is the main difference between UCON and REK?

UCON is categorized as Nontraditional Bonds, while REK is REIT. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for UCON and 0.95% for REK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UCON currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs -0.16), 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.