VRTL vs. IFED

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VRTL (GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF) and IFED (ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds. VRTL is actively managed, while IFED is passively managed. Over the past year, VRTL returned 343.57% vs 2.52% for IFED. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VRTL charges 1.50%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for IFED.

Performance

VRTL vs. IFED - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF (VRTL) and ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRTL achieves a 187.83% return, which is significantly higher than IFED's -3.07% return.

VRTL

• 1D: -22.65%
• 1M: -11.35%
• YTD: 187.83%
• 6M: 172.02%
• 1Y: 343.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IFED

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 2.47%
• YTD: -3.07%
• 6M: -3.90%
• 1Y: 2.52%
• 3Y*: 16.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VRTL vs. IFED - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VRTL GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF	187.83%	110.50%
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	-3.07%	13.34%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTL and IFED is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2025	0.35

Return for Risk

VRTL vs. IFED — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTL

VRTL Risk / Return Rank: 83
VRTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VRTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VRTL Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VRTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VRTL Martin Ratio Rank: 87

IFED

IFED Risk / Return Rank: 10
IFED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
IFED Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Omega Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

VRTL vs. IFED - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF (VRTL) and ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED). 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.

	VRTL	IFED	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	0.15	+2.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	0.34	+2.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.04	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.30	0.17	+7.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.10	0.43	+16.67

VRTL vs. IFED - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTL Sharpe Ratio is 2.89, which is higher than the IFED Sharpe Ratio of 0.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTL and IFED, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VRTL vs. IFED - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTL drawdown since its inception was -60.58%, which is greater than IFED's maximum drawdown of -22.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTL and IFED.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTL	IFED	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.58%	-22.36%	-38.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-47.45%	-14.65%	-32.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.92%	-5.05%	-28.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.93%	-5.83%	-10.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.20%	5.88%	+14.32%

Volatility

VRTL vs. IFED - Volatility Comparison

GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF (VRTL) has a higher volatility of 43.78% compared to ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) at 6.74%. This indicates that VRTL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IFED based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTL	IFED	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	43.78%	6.74%	+37.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	92.17%	13.81%	+78.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	119.83%	16.84%	+102.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	126.87%	19.92%	+106.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	126.87%	19.92%	+106.95%

VRTL vs. IFED - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRTL has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IFED's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

VRTL vs. IFED - Dividend Comparison

Neither VRTL nor IFED has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRTL and IFED in my portfolio?

VRTL and IFED have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRTL or IFED?

VRTL has higher volatility (43.78%) compared to IFED (6.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTL dropped -60.58% vs IFED's -22.36%.

Which ETF is better, VRTL or IFED?

On 1-year performance, VRTL leads with 343.57% vs 2.52% for IFED. On fees, IFED is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, IFED has been the lower-risk option at 6.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VRTL or IFED?

Over the 1-year period, VRTL has performed better with a 343.57% return vs 2.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VRTL or IFED?

IFED is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for VRTL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VRTL or IFED?

VRTL and IFED have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between VRTL and IFED?

They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and UBS. Their fees differ too: 1.50% for VRTL and 0.45% for IFED.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 0.15), 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.