FTLS vs SSO
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF vs ProShares Ultra S&P500
Which is better, FTLS or SSO?
SSO has been ahead.
SSO has a lower expense ratio. SSO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | SSO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.38% | 0.84%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $9.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 0.69% |
| Holdings | 363 | 521 |
| YTD Return | +9.83% | +21.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.43% | +28.56%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.42% | +37.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.59% | +17.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.7%Best | 30.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.5%Best | -59.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,542 | $22,761Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Sep 8, 2014 | Jun 19, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (12.1 years).
FTLS vs SSO 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 12.1 years both funds cover.
FTLS vs SSO Performance
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year FTLS returned +13.43% while SSO returned +28.56%. Year to date, FTLS is up 9.83% versus a gain of 21.98% for SSO.
Over three years, FTLS compounded at +14.42% per year against +37.60% for SSO; over five years the annualized figures are +10.59% and +17.88% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SSO has the edge at +20.66% annualized vs +8.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SSO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.1% compared with 8.7% 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 -20.5% for FTLS and -59.3% for SSO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTLS charges 1.38% per year while SSO charges 0.84%. On a $10,000 position that is $138 vs $84 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTLS currently yields 0.87% against 0.69% for SSO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 507 holdings in FTLS and 504 in SSO, totalling 94.2% and 82.2% 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, 207 positions appear in both.
207 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in FTLS and 504 in SSO, against full books of 363 and 521.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTLS | Weight in SSO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 6.67% | 5.73% | 0.94% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.55% | 4.93% | 0.62% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.13% | 3.89% | 0.24% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc Cap Stk Cl A | 4.15% | 2.04% | 2.11% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.60% | 2.50% | 0.10% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.08% | 1.71% | 0.63% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.16% | 1.62% | 0.46% |
| STXSeagate Technology Plc | 2.05% | 0.19% | 1.86% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.79% | 1.23% | 0.44% |
| VVisa Inc-class A Shares | 1.11% | 0.62% | 0.49% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTLS and SSO 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 SSO?
FTLS has an expense ratio of 1.38% while SSO charges 0.84%. SSO is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTLS or SSO?
Over the past year FTLS returned +13.43% vs +28.56% for SSO, so SSO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), FTLS annualized +8.71% vs +20.66% for SSO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTLS or SSO?
SSO has been the more volatile fund at 30.1% annualized versus 8.7% for FTLS. Worst drawdown: FTLS -20.5% vs SSO -59.3%.
Should I hold both FTLS and SSO?
FTLS and SSO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 SSO?
FTLS yields 0.87% while SSO yields 0.69%, so FTLS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SSO better than FTLS?
SSO has a lower expense ratio. SSO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.