RFDA vs ZAP
ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF vs Global X US Electrification ETF
Which is better, RFDA or ZAP?
Each has led over a different period.
ZAP has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 1Y, ZAP over the full window. RFDA is less concentrated, with 30.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.2%.
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 | RFDA | ZAP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $77M | $440M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.00% | 1.74% |
| Holdings | 77 | 94 |
| YTD Return | +14.73%Best | +6.45% |
| 1Y Return | +16.68%Best | +2.72% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.07% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.87% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.0%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.8% | -13.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $13,346 | $13,487Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.6%Best | 44.2% |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Global X by mirae Asset |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 6, 2016 | Dec 17, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 18, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
RFDA vs ZAP 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
RFDA vs ZAP Performance
ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Global X US Electrification ETF (ZAP) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset. Over the past year RFDA returned +16.68% while ZAP returned +2.72%. Year to date, RFDA is up 14.73% versus a gain of 6.45% for ZAP.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZAP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 11.0% for RFDA. 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 -17.8% for RFDA and -13.0% for ZAP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RFDA charges 0.52% per year while ZAP charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $50 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFDA currently yields 2.00% against 1.74% for ZAP.
Holdings Overlap
4.3% of RFDA's money is in holdings ZAP also owns. 13.1% of ZAP's money is in holdings RFDA also owns.
ZAP and RFDA share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 75 positions we hold weights for in RFDA and 45 in ZAP, against full books of 77 and 94.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 39 positions for ZAP that do not appear in our book for RFDA (85.7% of the fund), and 67 for RFDA that do not appear in ZAP (92.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RFDA and ZAP 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, RFDA or ZAP?
RFDA has an expense ratio of 0.52% while ZAP charges 0.50%. ZAP is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFDA or ZAP?
Over the past year RFDA returned +16.68% vs +2.72% for ZAP, so RFDA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), RFDA annualized +17.39% vs +18.08% for ZAP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFDA or ZAP?
ZAP has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 11.0% for RFDA. Worst drawdown: RFDA -17.8% vs ZAP -13.0%.
Should I hold both RFDA and ZAP?
RFDA and ZAP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RFDA and ZAP?
13.1% of ZAP's money is in holdings RFDA also owns. 13.1% of ZAP's is in holdings RFDA also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 75 positions we hold weights for in RFDA and 45 in ZAP.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFDA or ZAP?
RFDA yields 2.00% while ZAP yields 1.74%, so RFDA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZAP better than RFDA?
ZAP has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 1Y, ZAP over the full window. RFDA is less concentrated, with 30.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.