EQLS vs. FTLS

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF (EQLS) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS).

EQLS and FTLS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EQLS is an actively managed fund by Simplify. It was launched on Jun 13, 2023. FTLS is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Sep 9, 2014.

Performance

EQLS vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF (EQLS) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

EQLS vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EQLS Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF	0.00%	6.82%	-4.82%	-3.63%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	-0.44%	9.09%	18.80%	9.91%

Returns By Period

EQLS

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

FTLS

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: -0.62%
• YTD: -0.44%
• 6M: 1.04%
• 1Y: 11.40%
• 3Y*: 13.12%
• 5Y*: 10.02%
• 10Y*: 9.14%

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

EQLS vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

EQLS has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than FTLS's 1.60% expense ratio.

FTLS

First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF

EQLS

Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF

Return for Risk

EQLS vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 63
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 56
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

EQLS vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF (EQLS) 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EQLS	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.09	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.95	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.77	—

Correlation

The correlation between EQLS and FTLS is 0.10, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

EQLS vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison

EQLS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EQLS Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF	0.00%	0.45%	0.95%	8.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	0.95%	1.07%	1.50%	1.49%	0.81%	0.01%	0.44%	0.83%	0.87%	0.43%	1.04%	0.49%

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	EQLS	FTLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-20.54%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.17%	—
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	—	-1.99%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-2.73%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.48%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	EQLS	FTLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.91%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.54%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	10.46%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	10.63%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	11.30%	—