FTLS vs METU
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF vs Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF
Which is better, FTLS or METU?
FTLS has been ahead.
METU has a lower expense ratio. FTLS 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 | FTLS | METU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.38% | 1.02%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $506M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 2.70% |
| Holdings | 363 | 20 |
| YTD Return | +9.83%Best | +2.89% |
| 1Y Return | +13.43%Best | -17.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.42% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.59% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.1%Best | 70.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.7%Best | -63.9% |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $13,039Best | $12,474 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Sep 8, 2014 | Jun 5, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.4 years).
FTLS vs METU 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 2.4 years both funds cover.
FTLS vs METU Performance
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF (METU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year FTLS returned +13.43% while METU returned -17.61%. Year to date, FTLS is up 9.83% versus a gain of 2.89% for METU.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
METU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 70.0% compared with 6.1% 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 -11.7% for FTLS and -63.9% for METU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTLS charges 1.38% per year while METU charges 1.02%. On a $10,000 position that is $138 vs $102 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTLS currently yields 0.87% against 2.70% for METU.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 507 holdings in FTLS and 4 in METU, totalling 94.2% and 87.8% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in FTLS and 4 in METU, against full books of 363 and 20.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTLS | Weight in METU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.16% | 17.27% | 16.11% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTLS and METU 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, FTLS or METU?
FTLS has an expense ratio of 1.38% while METU charges 1.02%. METU is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTLS or METU?
Over the past year FTLS returned +13.43% vs -17.61% for METU, so FTLS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTLS annualized +11.69% vs +9.65% for METU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTLS or METU?
METU has been the more volatile fund at 70.0% annualized versus 6.1% for FTLS. Worst drawdown: FTLS -11.7% vs METU -63.9%.
Should I hold both FTLS and METU?
FTLS and METU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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, FTLS or METU?
FTLS yields 0.87% while METU yields 2.70%, so METU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is METU better than FTLS?
METU has a lower expense ratio. FTLS 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.