CEFD vs. TSLX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

CEFD (ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN) is fund fund tracking the S-Network Composite Closed-End Fund Index (150%), while TSLX (Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, CEFD returned 3.04%/yr vs 3.80%/yr for TSLX. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CEFD vs. TSLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD) and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. (TSLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CEFD achieves a 7.74% return, which is significantly higher than TSLX's -17.27% return.

CEFD

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 1.92%
• 6M: 5.77%
• YTD: 7.74%
• 1Y: 14.45%
• 3Y*: 14.60%
• 5Y*: 3.04%
• 10Y*: —

TSLX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 3.52%
• 6M: -17.35%
• YTD: -17.27%
• 1Y: -22.91%
• 3Y*: 5.97%
• 5Y*: 3.80%
• 10Y*: 10.84%

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

CEFD vs. TSLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
CEFD ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN	7.74%	14.15%	20.06%	8.36%	-28.93%	22.09%	23.01%
TSLX Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.	-17.27%	11.52%	8.83%	35.29%	-16.37%	32.33%	21.12%

Correlation

The correlation between CEFD and TSLX is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2020	0.47

Over the past year, the correlation between CEFD and TSLX has dropped to 0.24 - well below their long-term average of 0.47, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

CEFD vs. TSLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CEFD

CEFD Risk / Return Rank: 37
CEFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
CEFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
CEFD Omega Ratio Rank: 40
CEFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
CEFD Martin Ratio Rank: 42

TSLX

TSLX Risk / Return Rank: 10
TSLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
TSLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
TSLX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
TSLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
TSLX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

CEFD vs. TSLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD) and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. (TSLX). 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.

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.

	CEFD	TSLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	-0.91	+1.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	-1.19	+2.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	0.86	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.16	-0.79	+1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.30	-1.37	+6.68

CEFD vs. TSLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CEFD Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is higher than the TSLX Sharpe Ratio of -0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CEFD and TSLX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CEFD vs. TSLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CEFD drawdown since its inception was -36.95%, smaller than the maximum TSLX drawdown of -50.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CEFD and TSLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CEFD	TSLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.95%	-50.27%	+13.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.51%	-29.05%	+16.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.76%	-29.05%	+7.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.95%	-29.05%	-7.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.27%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.33%	-25.28%	+23.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.54%	-9.21%	-2.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	16.73%	-14.00%

Volatility

CEFD vs. TSLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD) is 4.05%, while Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. (TSLX) has a volatility of 7.61%. This indicates that CEFD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TSLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CEFD	TSLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	7.61%	-3.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.98%	21.18%	-9.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.48%	25.33%	-11.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	19.56%	-1.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.27%	21.57%	-4.30%

Dividends

CEFD vs. TSLX - Dividend Comparison

CEFD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.54%, more than TSLX's 11.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CEFD ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN	14.54%	14.88%	13.90%	14.76%	16.56%	10.31%	5.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TSLX Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.	11.08%	9.44%	9.81%	9.72%	10.34%	15.35%	11.08%	8.43%	9.84%	8.84%	8.35%	9.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CEFD and TSLX in my portfolio?

CEFD and TSLX have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CEFD or TSLX?

TSLX has higher volatility (7.61%) compared to CEFD (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CEFD dropped -36.95% vs TSLX's -50.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CEFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs -0.91), 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.