ETSIX vs. FTF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ETSIX (Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I) and FTF (Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust) are both Multisector Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, ETSIX returned 4.75%/yr vs 3.81%/yr for FTF. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ETSIX charges 1.46%/yr vs 3.92%/yr for FTF.

Performance

ETSIX vs. FTF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ETSIX) and Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust (FTF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ETSIX achieves a 2.19% return, which is significantly higher than FTF's -0.57% return. Over the past 10 years, ETSIX has outperformed FTF with an annualized return of 4.75%, while FTF has yielded a comparatively lower 3.81% annualized return.

ETSIX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 2.19%
• 6M: 2.68%
• 1Y: 10.07%
• 3Y*: 8.34%
• 5Y*: 4.83%
• 10Y*: 4.75%

FTF

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: -0.49%
• YTD: -0.57%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 1.83%
• 3Y*: 10.25%
• 5Y*: 2.22%
• 10Y*: 3.81%

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

ETSIX vs. FTF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ETSIX Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I	2.19%	10.88%	6.38%	8.24%	-2.55%	1.33%	7.52%	6.58%	-2.68%	4.90%
FTF Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust	-0.57%	4.16%	19.50%	12.22%	-23.49%	6.72%	9.01%	18.45%	-15.28%	9.44%

Correlation

The correlation between ETSIX and FTF is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2003	0.17

The correlation between ETSIX and FTF shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (all time) to 0.31 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ETSIX vs. FTF — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETSIX

ETSIX Risk / Return Rank: 90
ETSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
ETSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ETSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ETSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ETSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

FTF

FTF Risk / Return Rank: 4
FTF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
FTF Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
FTF Omega Ratio Rank: 4
FTF Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
FTF Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

ETSIX vs. FTF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ETSIX) and Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust (FTF). 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.

	ETSIX	FTF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.59	0.25	+3.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.36	0.40	+4.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.81	1.05	+0.76
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.16	0.28	+3.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.61	0.78	+13.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ETSIX vs. FTF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETSIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.59, which is higher than the FTF Sharpe Ratio of 0.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETSIX and FTF, 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

	ETSIX	FTF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.59	0.25	+3.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.51	0.20	+1.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.51	0.28	+1.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.34	0.30	+1.04

Drawdowns

ETSIX vs. FTF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETSIX drawdown since its inception was -12.63%, smaller than the maximum FTF drawdown of -51.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETSIX and FTF.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETSIX	FTF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.63%	-51.15%	+38.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.43%	-6.54%	+4.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.52%	-11.58%	+9.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.34%	-28.55%	+22.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.28%	-36.64%	+24.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-2.73%	+2.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.43%	-8.04%	+6.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.69%	2.36%	-1.67%

Volatility

ETSIX vs. FTF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ETSIX) is 1.06%, while Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust (FTF) has a volatility of 2.39%. This indicates that ETSIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ETSIX	FTF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	2.39%	-1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.22%	5.45%	-3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.82%	7.24%	-4.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.21%	11.05%	-7.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.16%	13.88%	-10.72%

ETSIX vs. FTF - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETSIX has a 1.46% expense ratio, which is lower than FTF's 3.92% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETSIX vs. FTF - Dividend Comparison

ETSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.10%, less than FTF's 12.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ETSIX Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I	7.10%	5.65%	6.97%	6.93%	5.56%	4.31%	4.19%	4.29%	3.98%	3.70%	3.94%	4.32%
FTF Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust	12.70%	12.00%	11.13%	11.41%	12.62%	10.26%	9.50%	10.73%	12.37%	10.86%	6.56%	6.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETSIX and FTF in my portfolio?

ETSIX and FTF have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETSIX or FTF?

FTF has higher volatility (2.39%) compared to ETSIX (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETSIX dropped -12.63% vs FTF's -51.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ETSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.59 vs 0.25), 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.