BAMY vs. HISF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BAMY (Brookstone Yield ETF) and HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BAMY returned 10.68% vs 5.74% for HISF. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BAMY charges 1.48%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for HISF.

Performance

BAMY vs. HISF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brookstone Yield ETF (BAMY) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAMY achieves a 1.16% return, which is significantly higher than HISF's 0.03% return.

BAMY

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.16%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 10.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HISF

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.03%
• 6M: 0.23%
• 1Y: 5.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BAMY vs. HISF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BAMY Brookstone Yield ETF	1.16%	12.93%	7.37%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	0.03%	8.39%	3.30%

Correlation

The correlation between BAMY and HISF is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2024	0.38

The correlation between BAMY and HISF shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.49 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BAMY vs. HISF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BAMY

BAMY Risk / Return Rank: 79
BAMY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
BAMY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
BAMY Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BAMY Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BAMY Martin Ratio Rank: 88

HISF

HISF Risk / Return Rank: 48
HISF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
HISF Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
HISF Omega Ratio Rank: 52
HISF Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
HISF Martin Ratio Rank: 44

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BAMY vs. HISF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brookstone Yield ETF (BAMY) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BAMY	HISF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.74	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	2.55	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.32	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.32	1.99	+2.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.33	7.21	+12.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BAMY vs. HISF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAMY Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the HISF Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAMY and HISF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BAMY	HISF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.74	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.87	1.31	+0.56

Drawdowns

BAMY vs. HISF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAMY drawdown since its inception was -6.03%, which is greater than HISF's maximum drawdown of -3.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAMY and HISF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAMY	HISF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.03%	-3.86%	-2.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.48%	-2.90%	+0.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-1.20%	+0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.53%	-0.89%	+0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.55%	0.80%	-0.25%

Volatility

BAMY vs. HISF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brookstone Yield ETF (BAMY) is 1.09%, while First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) has a volatility of 1.21%. This indicates that BAMY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HISF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAMY	HISF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.09%	1.21%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.80%	2.61%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.62%	3.32%	+1.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.03%	3.95%	+2.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.03%	3.95%	+2.08%

BAMY vs. HISF - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAMY has a 1.48% expense ratio, which is higher than HISF's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAMY vs. HISF - Dividend Comparison

BAMY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.59%, more than HISF's 5.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BAMY Brookstone Yield ETF	7.59%	7.16%	8.20%	1.96%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	5.00%	4.69%	3.92%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAMY and HISF in my portfolio?

BAMY and HISF have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BAMY or HISF?

HISF has higher volatility (1.21%) compared to BAMY (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAMY dropped -6.03% vs HISF's -3.86%.

Which ETF is better, BAMY or HISF?

On 1-year performance, BAMY leads with 10.68% vs 5.74% for HISF. On fees, HISF is cheaper at 0.87% per year. On volatility, BAMY has been the lower-risk option at 1.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BAMY or HISF?

Over the 1-year period, BAMY has performed better with a 10.68% return vs 5.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAMY or HISF?

HISF is cheaper with a 0.87% expense ratio, compared with 1.48% for BAMY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BAMY or HISF?

BAMY has the higher dividend yield at 7.59%, compared with 5.00% for HISF.

What is the main difference between BAMY and HISF?

They also come from different issuers: Brookstone and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.48% for BAMY and 0.87% for HISF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAMY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.74), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.