First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) Alternatives
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) belongs to the Long-Short category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with FTLS. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to FTLS
FTLS charges 1.60% annually. Among ETFs in the Long-Short category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among FTLS alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proshares Large Cap Core Plus | 0.45% | Jul 13, 2009 | FTLS vs CSM | |
| Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF | 0.45% | Jul 22, 2021 | FTLS vs IDUB | |
| ProShares Long Online/Short Stores ETF | 0.65% | Nov 14, 2017 | FTLS vs CLIX | |
| WisdomTree Inflation Plus Fund | 0.65% | Jun 18, 2025 | FTLS vs WTIP | |
| Franklin Liberty Systematic Style Premia ETF | 0.65% | Dec 18, 2019 | FTLS vs FLSP |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FTLS
Among ETFs in the Long-Short category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF | 94 | Feb 22, 2022 | FTLS vs CLSE | |
| Militia Long/Short Equity ETF | 92 | Jan 14, 2025 | FTLS vs ORR | |
| First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF | 84 | Feb 4, 2020 | FTLS vs MARB | |
| AltShares Event-Driven ETF | 83 | Dec 31, 2014 | FTLS vs EVNT | |
| IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 80 | Mar 25, 2009 | FTLS vs QAI |
Top Performing FTLS Alternatives (YTD)
FTLS alternatives from the Long-Short category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor Long-Short Equity ETF | 20.53% | Dec 4, 2023 | FTLS vs LSEQ | |
| Leatherback Long/Short Alternative Yield ETF | 15.90% | Nov 16, 2020 | FTLS vs LBAY | |
| WisdomTree Inflation Plus Fund | 12.54% | Jun 18, 2025 | FTLS vs WTIP | |
| KFA Mount Lucas Index Strategy ETF | 8.67% | Dec 2, 2020 | FTLS vs KMLM | |
| Militia Long/Short Equity ETF | 6.70% | Jan 14, 2025 | FTLS vs ORR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FTLS
FTLS alternatives from the Long-Short category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF | 5.36% | Feb 4, 2020 | FTLS vs MARB | |
| ProShares Hedge Replication | 6.90% | Jul 12, 2011 | FTLS vs HDG | |
| IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 7.55% | Mar 25, 2009 | FTLS vs QAI | |
| The Future Fund Long/Short ETF | 9.24% | Jun 20, 2023 | FTLS vs FFLS | |
| KFA Mount Lucas Index Strategy ETF | 9.84% | Dec 2, 2020 | FTLS vs KMLM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FTLS
FTLS alternatives from the Long-Short category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF | -2.43% | Feb 4, 2020 | FTLS vs MARB | |
| AltShares Event-Driven ETF | -4.84% | Dec 31, 2014 | FTLS vs EVNT | |
| ProShares Hedge Replication | -4.85% | Jul 12, 2011 | FTLS vs HDG | |
| IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | -5.43% | Mar 25, 2009 | FTLS vs QAI | |
| Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF | -5.98% | Dec 11, 2024 | FTLS vs EMPB |
Other ETFs from First Trust
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Often Compared With FTLS
What investors most often compare with FTLS, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare FTLS with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FTLS with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.