YLD vs. FAAR
YLD (Principal Active High Yield ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YLD is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Principal, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, YLD returned 5.76%/yr vs 4.79%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. YLD charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
YLD vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, YLD achieves a 3.27% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 20.23% return. Over the past 10 years, YLD has outperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 5.76%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively lower 4.79% annualized return.
YLD
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- 0.84%
- YTD
- 3.27%
- 6M
- 3.45%
- 1Y
- 7.14%
- 3Y*
- 9.07%
- 5Y*
- 4.91%
- 10Y*
- 5.76%
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -4.34%
- YTD
- 20.23%
- 6M
- 19.92%
- 1Y
- 26.86%
- 3Y*
- 10.91%
- 5Y*
- 7.89%
- 10Y*
- 4.79%
YLD vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 3.27% | 6.55% | 9.19% | 12.93% | -8.78% | 9.17% | 1.50% | 13.58% | -3.30% | 9.12% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 20.23% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 5.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between YLD and FAAR is -0.12, 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 | -0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.03 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | 0.05 |
The correlation between YLD and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.05 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
YLD vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
YLD
FAAR
YLD vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) 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.
| YLD | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.35 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.63 | 4.75 | -1.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.43 | 14.70 | -2.26 |
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Drawdowns
YLD vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum YLD drawdown since its inception was -28.34%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YLD and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| YLD | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.34% | -18.03% | -10.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.98% | -5.68% | +3.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.62% | -11.54% | +5.92% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.89% | -18.03% | +4.14% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.34% | -18.03% | -10.31% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.08% | -5.43% | +5.35% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.69% | -7.82% | +5.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.58% | 1.89% | -1.31% |
Volatility
YLD vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) is 1.05%, while First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) has a volatility of 2.47%. This indicates that YLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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
| YLD | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.05% | 2.47% | -1.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.50% | 9.68% | -6.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.38% | 13.37% | -8.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 12.95% | -6.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.20% | 11.53% | -3.33% |
YLD vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
YLD has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
YLD vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
YLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.24%, less than FAAR's 9.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.57% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 7.24% | 7.33% | 7.12% | 6.46% | 6.51% | 3.92% | 4.40% | 4.81% | 5.42% | 6.28% | 4.47% | 2.56% |
Frequently Asked Questions
YLD and FAAR have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAAR has higher volatility (2.47%) compared to YLD (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YLD dropped -28.34% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 10-year performance, YLD leads with 5.76% vs 4.79% for FAAR. On fees, YLD is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, YLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, YLD has performed better with a 5.76% return vs 4.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
YLD is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.57%, compared with 7.24% for YLD.
YLD is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Principal and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for YLD and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.64), 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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