DWSH vs FTLS
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF vs First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF
Which is better, DWSH or FTLS?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
FTLS has a lower expense ratio. FTLS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.68, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | DWSH | FTLS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 6.22% | 1.38%Best |
| AUM | $11M | $2.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.68% | 0.87% |
| Holdings | 101 | 363 |
| YTD Return | -8.24% | +9.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | -8.93% | +13.43%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -7.86% | +14.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.01% | +10.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.7% | 9.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -84.5% | -20.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,583 | $16,542Best |
| Fund Family | Advisor Shares | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2018 | Sep 8, 2014 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 11, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.3 years).
DWSH vs FTLS 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 8.3 years both funds cover.
DWSH vs FTLS Performance
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF (DWSH) is an ETF from Advisor Shares and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year DWSH returned -8.93% while FTLS returned +13.43%. Year to date, DWSH is down 8.24% versus a gain of 9.83% for FTLS.
Over three years, DWSH compounded at -7.86% per year against +14.42% for FTLS; over five years the annualized figures are -3.01% and +10.59% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, FTLS has the edge at +9.27% annualized vs -13.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DWSH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.7% compared with 9.2% for FTLS. 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 -84.5% for DWSH and -20.5% for FTLS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.68. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DWSH charges 6.22% per year while FTLS charges 1.38%. On a $10,000 position that is $622 vs $138 annually, a gap of $484 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DWSH currently yields 6.68% against 0.87% for FTLS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 99 holdings in DWSH and 507 in FTLS, totalling 0.0% and 94.2% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 30 positions appear in both.
30 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in DWSH and 507 in FTLS, against full books of 101 and 363.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DWSH | Weight in FTLS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISRGIntuitive Surgical Inc | -0.76% | 0.42% | 1.18% |
| ADSKAutodesk, Inc. | -0.77% | 0.39% | 1.16% |
| CHDNChurchill Downs Inc | -0.61% | 0.06% | 0.67% |
| LDOSLeidos Holdings, Inc | -0.64% | 0.09% | 0.73% |
| ALNYAlnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. | -0.67% | 0.12% | 0.79% |
| FLOFlowers Foods Inc | -0.54% | -0.03% | 0.51% |
| ACMAecom Technology Corp | -0.54% | -0.08% | 0.46% |
| LENLennar Corp A | -0.50% | -0.13% | 0.37% |
| POOLPool Corp. | -0.55% | -0.09% | 0.46% |
| OLEDOled Universal Display Corp. | -0.60% | -0.04% | 0.56% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DWSH and FTLS 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, DWSH or FTLS?
DWSH has an expense ratio of 6.22% while FTLS charges 1.38%. FTLS is the cheaper option, by $484 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DWSH or FTLS?
Over the past year DWSH returned -8.93% vs +13.43% for FTLS, so FTLS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), DWSH annualized -13.75% vs +9.27% for FTLS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DWSH or FTLS?
DWSH has been the more volatile fund at 30.7% annualized versus 9.2% for FTLS. Worst drawdown: DWSH -84.5% vs FTLS -20.5%.
Should I hold both DWSH and FTLS?
DWSH and FTLS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.68, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DWSH or FTLS?
DWSH yields 6.68% while FTLS yields 0.87%, so DWSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTLS better than DWSH?
FTLS has a lower expense ratio. FTLS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.68, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.