DWAT vs. HISF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Arrow DWA Tactical ETF (DWAT) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF).

DWAT and HISF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DWAT is an actively managed fund by Arrow Funds. It was launched on Oct 1, 2014. HISF is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Aug 13, 2014.

Performance

DWAT vs. HISF - Performance Comparison

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

DWAT vs. HISF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DWAT Arrow DWA Tactical ETF	0.00%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	-1.14%

Returns By Period

DWAT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HISF

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: -1.96%
• YTD: -0.74%
• 6M: 0.66%
• 1Y: 5.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DWAT vs. HISF - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWAT has a 1.66% expense ratio, which is higher than HISF's 0.87% expense ratio.

DWAT

Arrow DWA Tactical ETF

HISF

First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF

Return for Risk

DWAT vs. HISF — Risk / Return Rank

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

HISF

HISF Risk / Return Rank: 74
HISF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
HISF Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
HISF Omega Ratio Rank: 72
HISF Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
HISF Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

DWAT vs. HISF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Arrow DWA Tactical ETF (DWAT) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DWAT	HISF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	1.32	—

Dividends

DWAT vs. HISF - Dividend Comparison

DWAT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while HISF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.92%.

	TTM	2025	2024
DWAT Arrow DWA Tactical ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	4.92%	4.69%	3.92%

Drawdowns

DWAT vs. HISF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWAT drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum HISF drawdown of -3.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWAT and HISF.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWAT	HISF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-3.86%	+3.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.96%	+1.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-0.86%	+0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.70%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DWAT	HISF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.76%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.26%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00%	3.67%	-3.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.00%	3.96%	-3.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.00%	3.96%	-3.96%