CSM vs. FTLS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CSM (Proshares Large Cap Core Plus) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both Long-Short funds. CSM is passively managed, while FTLS is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, CSM returned 14.46%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for FTLS. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CSM charges 0.45%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for FTLS.

Performance

CSM vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Proshares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CSM achieves a 9.53% return, which is significantly higher than FTLS's 5.21% return. Over the past 10 years, CSM has outperformed FTLS with an annualized return of 14.46%, while FTLS has yielded a comparatively lower 9.81% annualized return.

CSM

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 5.19%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 11.44%
• 1Y: 30.50%
• 3Y*: 22.38%
• 5Y*: 13.79%
• 10Y*: 14.46%

FTLS

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 5.21%
• 6M: 4.51%
• 1Y: 14.78%
• 3Y*: 14.27%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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

CSM vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CSM Proshares Large Cap Core Plus	9.53%	21.84%	22.09%	23.50%	-18.27%	33.13%	10.94%	29.26%	-7.88%	22.52%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	5.21%	9.09%	18.80%	16.94%	-5.56%	19.65%	2.56%	16.16%	-4.81%	14.41%

Correlation

The correlation between CSM and FTLS is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 11, 2014	0.80

The correlation between CSM and FTLS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

CSM vs. FTLS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CSM	FTLS
Technology	28.7%	26.9%
Financial Services	16.3%	19.9%
Industrials	9.0%	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	9.5%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.4%
Communication Services	7.7%	6.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	6.5%
Utilities	3.8%	0.9%
Real Estate	3.1%	1.9%
Energy	3.1%	7.3%
Basic Materials	1.9%	5.1%

Return for Risk

CSM vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

CSM

CSM Risk / Return Rank: 74
CSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
CSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
CSM Omega Ratio Rank: 75
CSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
CSM Martin Ratio Rank: 74

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 60
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

CSM vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Proshares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). 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.

	CSM	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	1.81	+0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	2.64	+0.88
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.33	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.26	3.96	-0.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.22	12.34	+1.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CSM vs. FTLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CSM Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is higher than the FTLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CSM and FTLS, 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

	CSM	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	1.81	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.98	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.87	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.81	+0.05

Drawdowns

CSM vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CSM drawdown since its inception was -36.11%, which is greater than FTLS's maximum drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSM and FTLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	CSM	FTLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.11%	-20.54%	-15.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.40%	-3.79%	-5.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.30%	-11.69%	-6.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.82%	-11.69%	-12.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.11%	-20.54%	-15.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-0.15%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-2.69%	-1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	1.21%	+0.94%

Volatility

CSM vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison

Proshares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM) has a higher volatility of 2.74% compared to First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) at 1.93%. This indicates that CSM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CSM	FTLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.74%	1.93%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.78%	5.65%	+3.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.91%	8.19%	+3.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.11%	10.55%	+6.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.38%	11.30%	+7.08%

CSM vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

CSM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than FTLS's 1.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

CSM vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison

CSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, more than FTLS's 0.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSM Proshares Large Cap Core Plus	1.00%	1.04%	1.06%	1.17%	1.37%	0.78%	1.21%	1.41%	1.54%	1.28%	1.49%	1.67%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	0.90%	1.07%	1.50%	1.49%	0.81%	0.01%	0.44%	0.83%	0.87%	0.43%	1.04%	0.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CSM and FTLS in my portfolio?

CSM and FTLS have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CSM or FTLS?

CSM has higher volatility (2.74%) compared to FTLS (1.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSM dropped -36.11% vs FTLS's -20.54%.

Which ETF is better, CSM or FTLS?

On 10-year performance, CSM leads with 14.46% vs 9.81% for FTLS. On fees, CSM is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 1.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CSM or FTLS?

Over the 10-year period, CSM has performed better with a 14.46% return vs 9.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CSM or FTLS?

CSM is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.60% for FTLS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CSM or FTLS?

CSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.90% for FTLS.

What is the main difference between CSM and FTLS?

They also come from different issuers: ProShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for CSM and 1.60% for FTLS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.81), 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.