VAMO vs. FTLS
VAMO (Cambria Value and Momentum ETF) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VAMO is a Momentum fund actively managed by Cambria, while FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VAMO returned 5.91%/yr vs 10.02%/yr for FTLS. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VAMO charges 0.65%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for FTLS.
Performance
VAMO vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VAMO achieves a 4.80% return, which is significantly lower than FTLS's 5.55% return. Over the past 10 years, VAMO has underperformed FTLS with an annualized return of 5.91%, while FTLS has yielded a comparatively higher 10.02% annualized return.
VAMO
- 1D
- 0.54%
- 1M
- 1.73%
- YTD
- 4.80%
- 6M
- 3.00%
- 1Y
- 21.41%
- 3Y*
- 14.10%
- 5Y*
- 9.34%
- 10Y*
- 5.91%
FTLS
- 1D
- 0.48%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 5.55%
- 6M
- 5.16%
- 1Y
- 16.53%
- 3Y*
- 14.35%
- 5Y*
- 10.26%
- 10Y*
- 10.02%
VAMO vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VAMO Cambria Value and Momentum ETF | 4.80% | 16.51% | 6.11% | 5.58% | 8.55% | 32.16% | -4.92% | -4.63% | -11.43% | 3.82% |
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | 5.55% | 9.09% | 18.80% | 16.94% | -5.56% | 19.65% | 2.56% | 16.16% | -4.81% | 14.41% |
Correlation
The correlation between VAMO and FTLS is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2015 | 0.45 |
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Return for Risk
VAMO vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank
VAMO
FTLS
VAMO vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cambria Value and Momentum ETF (VAMO) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). 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.
| VAMO | FTLS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.36 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.87 | 4.39 | -0.51 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.14 | 13.59 | -2.45 |
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Drawdowns
VAMO vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VAMO drawdown since its inception was -41.84%, which is greater than FTLS's maximum drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAMO and FTLS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VAMO | FTLS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.84% | -20.54% | -21.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.55% | -3.79% | -1.76% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.61% | -11.69% | +0.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.25% | -11.69% | -5.56% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.84% | -20.54% | -21.30% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.20% | -0.02% | -1.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.94% | -2.69% | -7.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.93% | 1.22% | +0.71% |
Volatility
VAMO vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison
Cambria Value and Momentum ETF (VAMO) has a higher volatility of 2.67% compared to First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) at 2.41%. This indicates that VAMO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VAMO | FTLS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.67% | 2.41% | +0.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.65% | 5.91% | +1.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.24% | 8.37% | +2.87% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.19% | 10.57% | +6.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.11% | 11.30% | +6.81% |
VAMO vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison
VAMO has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than FTLS's 1.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
VAMO vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison
VAMO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, less than FTLS's 0.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | 0.90% | 1.07% | 1.50% | 1.49% | 0.81% | 0.01% | 0.44% | 0.83% | 0.87% | 0.43% | 1.04% | 0.49% |
VAMO Cambria Value and Momentum ETF | 0.62% | 1.41% | 0.84% | 1.35% | 1.10% | 1.07% | 1.03% | 1.15% | 1.03% | 0.35% | 0.56% | 0.20% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VAMO and FTLS have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VAMO has higher volatility (2.67%) compared to FTLS (2.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VAMO dropped -41.84% vs FTLS's -20.54%.
On 10-year performance, FTLS leads with 10.02% vs 5.91% for VAMO. On fees, VAMO is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 2.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FTLS has performed better with a 10.02% return vs 5.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VAMO is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 1.60% for FTLS.
FTLS has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.62% for VAMO.
VAMO is categorized as Momentum, while FTLS is Long-Short. They also come from different issuers: Cambria and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for VAMO and 1.60% for FTLS.
FTLS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.92), 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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