VCAR vs. FAAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCAR (Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCAR is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund actively managed by Simplify, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VCAR returned 14.14%/yr vs 8.07%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

VCAR vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF (VCAR) 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, VCAR achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 25.73% return.

VCAR

• 1D: -2.63%
• 1M: 23.98%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: -18.80%
• 1Y: -14.28%
• 3Y*: 33.50%
• 5Y*: 14.14%
• 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)

VCAR vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VCAR Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF	0.60%	-14.73%	152.27%	58.33%	-61.11%	18.52%	4.79%
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	25.73%	8.07%	5.97%	-5.63%	10.15%	12.34%	0.65%

Correlation

The correlation between VCAR and FAAR is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2020	0.02

VCAR vs. FAAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VCAR	FAAR
Consumer Cyclical	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	100.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VCAR vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCAR

VCAR Risk / Return Rank: 7
VCAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
VCAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VCAR Omega Ratio Rank: 7
VCAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
VCAR 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.

VCAR vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF (VCAR) 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.

	VCAR	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.25	3.04	-3.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.02	4.23	-4.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.52	-0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.26	8.44	-8.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.46	23.64	-24.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCAR vs. FAAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCAR Sharpe Ratio is -0.25, which is lower than the FAAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCAR 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

	VCAR	FAAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.25	3.04	-3.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.62	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.45	-0.25

Drawdowns

VCAR vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCAR drawdown since its inception was -69.11%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCAR and FAAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCAR	FAAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.11%	-18.03%	-51.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-56.12%	-4.85%	-51.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.12%	-11.54%	-44.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-69.11%	-18.03%	-51.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.03%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.58%	-1.11%	-36.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.70%	-7.85%	-29.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	31.22%	1.73%	+29.49%

Volatility

VCAR vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF (VCAR) has a higher volatility of 24.38% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.44%. This indicates that VCAR'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

	VCAR	FAAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.38%	2.44%	+21.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.08%	9.72%	+31.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	56.90%	13.48%	+43.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.69%	13.02%	+37.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.02%	11.51%	+38.51%

VCAR vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VCAR and FAAR have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

VCAR vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison

VCAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.86%, more than FAAR's 9.15% yield.

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%
VCAR Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF	22.86%	23.87%	0.62%	0.00%	0.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCAR and FAAR in my portfolio?

VCAR and FAAR have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCAR or FAAR?

VCAR has higher volatility (24.38%) compared to FAAR (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCAR dropped -69.11% vs FAAR's -18.03%.

Which ETF is better, VCAR or FAAR?

On 5-year performance, VCAR leads with 14.14% vs 8.07% for FAAR. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. 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, VCAR or FAAR?

Over the 5-year period, VCAR has performed better with a 14.14% return vs 8.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VCAR or FAAR?

VCAR and FAAR have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

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

VCAR has the higher dividend yield at 22.86%, compared with 9.15% for FAAR.

What is the main difference between VCAR and FAAR?

VCAR is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and First Trust.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs -0.25), 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.