- ISIN
- US33739Q3092
- Issuer
- First Trust
- Inception Date
- Aug 13, 2014
- Region
- Global (Broad)
- Category
- Diversified Portfolio
- Leveraged
- 1x (No leverage)
- Index Tracked
- No Index (Active)
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Multi-Asset
- Assets Under Management
- $98M
Share Price Chart
Loading charts...
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Performance
HISF Performance Chart
First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) is up 0.2% since the beginning of the year. HISF is currently trading at $44 per share.
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) has returned 0.24% so far this year and 4.83% over the past 12 months.
First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF
- 1D
- 0.05%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 0.24%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 4.83%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -1.44%
- 1M
- -1.45%
- YTD
- 7.60%
- 6M
- 6.59%
- 1Y
- 22.24%
- 3Y*
- 19.20%
- 5Y*
- 11.54%
- 10Y*
- 13.71%
HISF Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Feb 28, 2024, HISF's average daily return is +0.02%, while the average monthly return is +0.41%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 14.1 years.
Historically, 72% of months were positive and 28% were negative. The best month was Jul 2024 with a return of +2.1%, while the worst month was Apr 2024 at -2.3%. The longest winning streak lasted 7 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 1 months.
On a daily basis, HISF closed higher 56% of trading days. The best single day was Aug 2, 2024 with a return of +0.7%, while the worst single day was Apr 7, 2025 at -1.0%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.25% | 0.99% | -1.96% | 0.67% | 0.33% | -0.01% | 0.24% | ||||||
| 2025 | 0.78% | 1.73% | -0.25% | 0.50% | -0.08% | 1.80% | -0.23% | 1.39% | 1.06% | 0.52% | 0.76% | 0.13% | 8.39% |
| 2024 | 0.28% | 0.60% | -2.32% | 1.75% | 0.75% | 2.13% | 1.59% | 1.30% | -2.26% | 1.11% | -1.43% | 3.41% |
Benchmark Metrics
First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF has an annualized alpha of 3.76%, beta of 0.08, and R2 of 0.11 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since February 28, 2024.
- This ETF participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (23.07%) than losses (22.47%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of 0.08 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.11 this ETF is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index - low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this ETF's risk.
- R2 of 0.11 means this ETF moves largely independently of S&P 500 Index - capture ratios reflect limited market correlation rather than active downside protection. Consider using a more representative benchmark.
- Alpha
- 3.76%
- Beta
- 0.08
- R²
- 0.11
- Upside Capture
- 23.07%
- Downside Capture
- 22.47%
Expense Ratio
HISF has an expense ratio of 0.87%, placing it in the medium range.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
HISF ranks 41 for risk / return — on par with similar ETFs. You're getting a typical balance of risk and reward. Not a standout, but not a red flag either — a reasonable choice if other factors align with your goals.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| HISF | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.32 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.67 | 2.46 | -0.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.78 | 10.92 | -5.14 |
Dividends
Dividend History
First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF provided a 4.99% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $2.22 per share.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $2.22 | $2.12 | $1.71 |
Dividend yield | 4.99% | 4.69% | 3.92% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.19 | $0.19 | $0.19 | $0.19 | $0.19 | $0.00 | $0.95 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.18 | $0.18 | $0.18 | $0.18 | $0.18 | $0.19 | $2.12 |
| 2024 | $0.16 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.18 | $0.18 | $0.18 | $0.18 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $1.71 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
Loading charts...
Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF was 3.86%, occurring on Jan 13, 2025. Recovery took 103 trading sessions.
The current First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF drawdown is 0.99%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 pullback2025 | -3.86%Jan 2025 | 3mo 13d | 4mo 29d | 8mo 12dOct 2024 - Jun 2025 |
2026 pullback2026 | -2.90%Mar 2026 | 25d | — | 3mo 24dMar 2026 - now |
2024 pullback2024 | -2.87%Apr 2024 | 1mo 6d | 1mo 28d | 3mo 4dMar 2024 - Jun 2024 |
2025 pullback2025 | -0.91%Jul 2025 | 14d | 17d | 1mo 1dJul 2025 - Aug 2025 |
2025 pullback2025 | -0.86%Nov 2025 | 7d | 21d | 28dOct 2025 - Nov 2025 |
Drawdown Indicators
| HISF | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -3.86% | -56.78% | +52.92% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.90% | -9.10% | +6.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -18.90% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -25.43% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.92% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.99% | -3.21% | +2.22% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.89% | -10.71% | +9.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.84% | 2.04% | -1.20% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Build a portfolio with HISF
Add First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF to a portfolio and analyze allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Analyzer with HISF