VGLT vs. FAAR
VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. VGLT is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGLT returned -1.21%/yr vs 4.91%/yr for FAAR. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
VGLT vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a 0.03% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 22.65% return. Over the past 10 years, VGLT has underperformed FAAR with an annualized return of -1.21%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively higher 4.91% annualized return.
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 1.30%
- YTD
- 0.03%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 3.29%
- 3Y*
- -0.30%
- 5Y*
- -5.52%
- 10Y*
- -1.21%
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- -2.57%
- YTD
- 22.65%
- 6M
- 22.23%
- 1Y
- 32.75%
- 3Y*
- 11.36%
- 5Y*
- 7.51%
- 10Y*
- 4.91%
VGLT vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 22.65% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 5.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGLT and FAAR is -0.30, 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 | -0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | -0.09 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between VGLT and FAAR has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.09 to -0.30, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
VGLT vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
VGLT
FAAR
VGLT vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) 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.
| VGLT | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 1.42 | -0.35 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.47 | 6.79 | -6.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.19 | 18.23 | -17.04 |
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Drawdowns
VGLT vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGLT | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.18% | -18.03% | -28.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -4.85% | -2.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.68% | -11.54% | -6.14% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.98% | -18.03% | -22.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.18% | -18.03% | -28.15% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -36.55% | -3.52% | -33.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.09% | -7.83% | -7.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.78% | 1.80% | +0.98% |
Volatility
VGLT vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a higher volatility of 2.69% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.28%. This indicates that VGLT'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
| VGLT | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.69% | 2.28% | +0.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.09% | 9.69% | -3.60% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.78% | 13.49% | -4.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.57% | 13.02% | +1.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.82% | 11.52% | +2.30% |
VGLT vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGLT vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, less than FAAR's 9.38% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.38% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.59% | 4.44% | 4.33% | 3.33% | 2.84% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.46% | 2.71% | 2.55% | 2.69% | 3.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGLT and FAAR have a correlation of -0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VGLT has higher volatility (2.69%) compared to FAAR (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 10-year performance, FAAR leads with 4.91% vs -1.21% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 4.91% return vs -1.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.38%, compared with 4.59% for VGLT.
VGLT is categorized as Government Bonds, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 0.38), 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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