FTLS vs XYLD
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF vs Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF
Which is better, FTLS or XYLD?
Each has led over a different period.
XYLD has a lower expense ratio. FTLS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XYLD over 1Y.
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 | XYLD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.38% | 0.60%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $3.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 10.44% |
| Holdings | 363 | 1,014 |
| YTD Return | +9.83% | +11.42%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.43% | +18.43%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.42%Best | +13.38% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.59%Best | +7.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.7%Best | 11.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.5%Best | -34.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,542Best | $14,416 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Global X by mirae Asset |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Sep 8, 2014 | Jun 21, 2013 |
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 XYLD 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 XYLD Performance
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset. Over the past year FTLS returned +13.43% while XYLD returned +18.43%. Year to date, FTLS is up 9.83% versus a gain of 11.42% for XYLD.
Over three years, FTLS compounded at +14.42% per year against +13.38% for XYLD; over five years the annualized figures are +10.59% and +7.59% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, FTLS has the edge at +8.71% annualized vs +4.19%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XYLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.4% 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 -34.7% for XYLD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTLS charges 1.38% per year while XYLD charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $138 vs $60 annually, a gap of $78 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTLS currently yields 0.87% against 10.44% for XYLD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 66.4% of XYLD's money is in holdings FTLS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FTLS, our book for it covers 94.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
204 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in FTLS and 496 in XYLD, against full books of 363 and 1,014.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTLS | Weight in XYLD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.67% | 8.64% | 1.97% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.55% | 7.44% | 1.89% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.13% | 5.87% | 1.74% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 4.15% | 3.07% | 1.08% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.60% | 3.77% | 1.17% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.08% | 2.58% | 1.50% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.16% | 2.46% | 1.30% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.79% | 1.86% | 1.07% |
| STXSeagate Technolo | 2.05% | 0.29% | 1.76% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 0.67% | 1.60% | 0.93% |
66.4% of XYLD is already inside FTLS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FTLS or XYLD?
FTLS has an expense ratio of 1.38% while XYLD charges 0.60%. XYLD is the cheaper option, by $78 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTLS or XYLD?
Over the past year FTLS returned +13.43% vs +18.43% for XYLD, so XYLD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), FTLS annualized +8.71% vs +4.19% for XYLD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTLS or XYLD?
XYLD has been the more volatile fund at 11.4% annualized versus 8.7% for FTLS. Worst drawdown: FTLS -20.5% vs XYLD -34.7%.
Should I hold both FTLS and XYLD?
FTLS and XYLD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 FTLS and XYLD?
At least 66.4% of XYLD's money is in holdings FTLS also owns. Our book for FTLS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 204 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in FTLS and 496 in XYLD.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTLS or XYLD?
FTLS yields 0.87% while XYLD yields 10.44%, so XYLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XYLD better than FTLS?
XYLD has a lower expense ratio. FTLS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XYLD over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.