EMPB vs. FTLS

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

EMPB (Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both Long-Short funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, EMPB returned 17.10% vs 14.40% for FTLS. Their 0.60 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EMPB charges 1.82%/yr vs 1.38%/yr for FTLS.

Performance

EMPB vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF (EMPB) 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, EMPB achieves a 14.62% return, which is significantly higher than FTLS's 6.03% return.

EMPB

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: 1.13%
• 6M: 14.24%
• YTD: 14.62%
• 1Y: 17.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.65%

FTLS

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 1.47%
• 6M: 4.95%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 1Y: 14.40%
• 3Y*: 13.13%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: 9.59%
• ALL TIME*: 9.00%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EMPB Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF	$259.83K	$233.39K	$230.26K
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	$8.26M	$8.04M	$8.94M

EMPB vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EMPB Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF	14.62%	14.84%	0.43%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	6.03%	9.09%	-1.78%

Correlation

The correlation between EMPB and FTLS is 0.53, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	0.60

The correlation between EMPB and FTLS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EMPB vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EMPB

EMPB Risk / Return Rank: 66
EMPB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
EMPB Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
EMPB Omega Ratio Rank: 60
EMPB Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
EMPB Martin Ratio Rank: 66

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 75
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EMPB vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF (EMPB) 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.

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.

	EMPB	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.57	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	2.28	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.28	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	3.55	-0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.07	10.80	-2.72

EMPB vs. FTLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMPB Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the FTLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMPB 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.

Drawdowns

EMPB vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMPB drawdown since its inception was -7.55%, smaller than the maximum FTLS drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMPB and FTLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMPB	FTLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.55%	-20.54%	+12.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-3.79%	-2.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.69%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-11.69%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-0.42%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.44%	-2.67%	+1.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	1.24%	+0.83%

Volatility

EMPB vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison

Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF (EMPB) has a higher volatility of 3.75% compared to First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) at 2.15%. This indicates that EMPB'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

	EMPB	FTLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	2.15%	+1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.07%	5.86%	+3.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.67%	8.54%	+3.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.72%	10.53%	+1.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.72%	11.23%	+0.49%

EMPB vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMPB has a 1.82% expense ratio, which is higher than FTLS's 1.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMPB vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison

EMPB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, less than FTLS's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMPB Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF	0.77%	0.88%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	0.88%	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 EMPB and FTLS in my portfolio?

EMPB and FTLS have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMPB or FTLS?

EMPB has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to FTLS (2.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMPB dropped -7.55% vs FTLS's -20.54%.

Which ETF is better, EMPB or FTLS?

On 1-year performance, EMPB leads with 17.10% vs 14.40% for FTLS. On fees, FTLS is cheaper at 1.38% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 2.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMPB or FTLS?

Over the 1-year period, EMPB has performed better with a 17.10% return vs 14.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMPB or FTLS?

FTLS is cheaper with a 1.38% expense ratio, compared with 1.82% for EMPB.

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

FTLS has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.77% for EMPB.

What is the main difference between EMPB and FTLS?

They also come from different issuers: NextGen EMP and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.82% for EMPB and 1.38% for FTLS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTLS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.44), 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.