CAAA vs SCIO
First Trust AAA CMBS ETF vs First Trust Structured Credit Income Opportunities ETF
Which is better, CAAA or SCIO?
SCIO has been ahead.
CAAA has a lower expense ratio. SCIO led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CAAA | SCIO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30%Best | 0.70% |
| AUM | $35M | $545M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.94% | 5.82% |
| Holdings | 235 | 908 |
| YTD Return | -0.25% | +0.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.08% | +1.02%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.2% | 3.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -2.3%Best | -2.7% |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $11,212 | $11,681Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Long Term High Quality |
| Inception | Feb 27, 2024 | Feb 27, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.6 years).
CAAA vs SCIO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.6 years both funds cover.
CAAA vs SCIO Performance
First Trust AAA CMBS ETF (CAAA) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and First Trust Structured Credit Income Opportunities ETF (SCIO) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year CAAA returned +0.08% while SCIO returned +1.02%. Year to date, CAAA is down 0.25% versus a gain of 0.37% for SCIO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CAAA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 3.2% compared with 3.0% for SCIO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -2.3% for CAAA and -2.7% for SCIO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CAAA charges 0.30% per year while SCIO charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $70 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CAAA currently yields 4.94% against 5.82% for SCIO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in CAAA and 9 in SCIO, totalling 0.8% and 4.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in CAAA and 9 in SCIO, against full books of 235 and 908.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CAAA and SCIO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CAAA or SCIO?
CAAA has an expense ratio of 0.30% while SCIO charges 0.70%. CAAA is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CAAA or SCIO?
Over the past year CAAA returned +0.08% vs +1.02% for SCIO, so SCIO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CAAA or SCIO?
CAAA has been the more volatile fund at 3.2% annualized versus 3.0% for SCIO. Worst drawdown: CAAA -2.3% vs SCIO -2.7%.
Should I hold both CAAA and SCIO?
CAAA and SCIO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, CAAA or SCIO?
CAAA yields 4.94% while SCIO yields 5.82%, so SCIO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCIO better than CAAA?
CAAA has a lower expense ratio. SCIO led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.