First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen… (RBLD) Performance
RBLD total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +12.4% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +10.9% total return
- 5 years
- +10.0% a year
- 10 years
- +7.5% a year
- Since first price
- +8.2% a year since 2008
RBLD trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | RBLD total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −0.8% | −0.8% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −5.8% | −6.0% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −4.3% | −4.7% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +12.4% | +11.6% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +10.9% | +9.7% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +77.7%+21.1%/yr | +71.3% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| 5 years | +60.9%+10.0%/yr | +49.8% | +79.3%+12.4%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.8%−0.2%/yr |
| 10 years | +106.7%+7.5%/yr | +74.4% | +315.9%+15.3%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.0%+1.3%/yr |
| 15 years | +187.4%+7.3%/yr | +122.2% | +696.0%+14.8%/yr | +1,299.3%+19.2%/yr | +32.2%+1.9%/yr |
| Since inceptionOct 17, 2008 | +312.5%+8.2%/yr | +206.4% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: RBLD vs SPY
From Oct 17, 2008: RBLD grew to $41,251, SPY to $112,969.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
RBLD returns by calendar year
12 of 17 full years positive. Best 2013 (+24.4%), worst 2018 (−21.7%). 2026 is year to date.
RBLD annual returns table
| Year | RBLD | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +12.4% | −8.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +14.0% | −17.2% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +17.9% | −9.2% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +19.4% | −11.1% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −9.9% | −22.0% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | +13.0% | −11.3% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +0.5% | −40.5% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +12.8% | −16.0% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −21.7% | −30.5% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +23.0% | −5.1% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | +13.5% | −11.5% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −1.0% | −15.2% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | −10.9% | −20.3% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | +24.4% | −8.4% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +19.3% | −22.2% | +16.0% | +18.1% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | −18.0% | −33.4% | +1.9% | +3.4% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +17.5% | −22.5% | +15.1% | +19.9% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +23.6% | −30.9% | +26.4% | +54.7% | +3.0% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
RBLD largest drawdowns
Now 7.8% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26, 2018 | −50.1% | Mar 18, 2020 | Dec 14, 2023 | 2.1 years | 5.9 years |
| Apr 29, 2011 | −33.4% | Oct 3, 2011 | Sep 16, 2013 | 5 months | 2.4 years |
| Jan 6, 2009 | −30.9% | Mar 3, 2009 | May 4, 2009 | 56 days | 4 months |
| Jun 12, 2014 | −27.7% | Jan 20, 2016 | Feb 15, 2017 | 1.6 years | 2.7 years |
| Nov 4, 2008 | −24.4% | Nov 20, 2008 | Dec 8, 2008 | 16 days | 34 days |
| Apr 15, 2010 | −22.5% | Jun 7, 2010 | Oct 13, 2010 | 53 days | 6 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
RBLD risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +19.1% | +10.5% | +7.3% | +8.3% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 16.6% | 17.8% | 19.8% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.94 | 0.47 | 0.36 | 0.44 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.74 | 0.74 | 0.52 | 0.68 |
| Best month | +9.6% | +9.6% | +15.5% | +15.8% |
| Worst month | −8.8% | −11.0% | −19.9% | −19.9% |
| Best 12 months | +38.8% | +38.8% | +60.2% | +60.2% |
| Worst 12 months | +5.8% | −17.8% | −26.9% | −26.9% |
| Positive months | 56% | 53% | 57% | 56% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.88 | 0.87 | 0.97 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.71 | 0.82 | 0.84 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
RBLD rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 205 | −26.9% | +10.5% | +60.2% | 66% |
| 3-year (a year) | 181 | −10.3% | +5.8% | +23.6% | 91% |
| 5-year (a year) | 157 | −3.5% | +5.8% | +19.1% | 85% |
| 10-year (a year) | 97 | +0.5% | +4.5% | +9.8% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2008. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
RBLD performance overview
First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen… (RBLD) returned +10.9% over the past year and +7.5% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2008 it has returned +8.2% a year, turning $10,000 into about $41,251. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −50.1%, from Jan 26, 2018 to Mar 18, 2020, and it took 3.7 years to get back to the old high. RBLD finished 12 of its 17 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2013 (+24.4%) and the worst 2018 (−21.7%). Volatility has been 19.8% a year.
Related: RBLD chart, RBLD holdings, RBLD dividends, RBLD valuation. See the RBLD overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
RBLD performance FAQ
What is the RBLD return over the past year?
RBLD returned +10.9% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 9.7%.
What is the average annual return of RBLD?
RBLD has returned +10.0% a year over 5 years, +7.5% a year over 10 years, +8.2% a year since October 17, 2008 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in RBLD be worth?
$10,000 invested in RBLD at its first recorded close on October 17, 2008 would be worth about $41,251 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for RBLD?
The worst calendar year was 2018, with a total return of −21.7%. The best was 2013 at +24.4%.
What is the biggest drawdown of RBLD?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −50.1% between January 26, 2018 and March 18, 2020. It recovered to the old high on December 14, 2023, 3.7 years after the bottom.
How volatile is RBLD?
Over the past 3 years RBLD had an annualized volatility of 15.3% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.94 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).