FCEF vs. NTSX
FCEF (First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF) and NTSX (WisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FCEF returned 6.04%/yr vs 8.15%/yr for NTSX. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FCEF charges 2.91%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for NTSX.
Performance
FCEF vs. NTSX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FCEF achieves a 7.77% return, which is significantly higher than NTSX's 7.28% return.
FCEF
- 1D
- 0.24%
- 1M
- -0.30%
- 6M
- 4.68%
- YTD
- 7.77%
- 1Y
- 14.04%
- 3Y*
- 14.33%
- 5Y*
- 6.04%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 8.11%
NTSX
- 1D
- 0.71%
- 1M
- -0.51%
- 6M
- 6.45%
- YTD
- 7.28%
- 1Y
- 17.51%
- 3Y*
- 16.97%
- 5Y*
- 8.15%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 12.63%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $305.67K | $550.92K | $440.65K | |
| $1.95M | $1.79M | $2.60M |
FCEF vs. NTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FCEF First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF | 7.77% | 14.39% | 17.51% | 10.27% | -19.51% | 19.50% | 3.80% | 28.28% | -12.19% |
NTSX WisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund | 7.28% | 18.82% | 20.20% | 22.70% | -25.84% | 22.21% | 24.87% | 32.03% | -7.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between FCEF and NTSX is 0.75, 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. | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 2, 2018 | 0.74 |
The correlation between FCEF and NTSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FCEF vs. NTSX — Risk / Return Rank
FCEF
NTSX
FCEF vs. NTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (FCEF) and WisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund (NTSX). 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.
| FCEF | NTSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.44 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.62 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.22 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.88 | 1.79 | +0.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.25 | 7.28 | +0.97 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
FCEF vs. NTSX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FCEF drawdown since its inception was -44.81%, which is greater than NTSX's maximum drawdown of -31.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCEF and NTSX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FCEF | NTSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -44.81% | -31.34% | -13.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.03% | -9.16% | +2.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.39% | -16.82% | +4.43% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.32% | -31.34% | +6.02% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.77% | -2.27% | +1.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.19% | -6.70% | +0.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.60% | 2.26% | -0.66% |
Volatility
FCEF vs. NTSX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (FCEF) is 1.72%, while WisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund (NTSX) has a volatility of 3.82%. This indicates that FCEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NTSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FCEF | NTSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.72% | 3.82% | -2.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.42% | 10.74% | -4.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.87% | 13.29% | -5.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.12% | 17.20% | -5.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.32% | 18.22% | -2.90% |
FCEF vs. NTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FCEF has a 2.91% expense ratio, which is higher than NTSX's 0.20% expense ratio.
Dividends
FCEF vs. NTSX - Dividend Comparison
FCEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.87%, more than NTSX's 1.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FCEF First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF | 6.87% | 7.05% | 7.13% | 7.17% | 7.26% | 4.74% | 5.03% | 5.07% | 5.96% | 4.90% | 1.51% |
NTSX WisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund | 1.10% | 1.14% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.36% | 0.82% | 0.92% | 1.42% | 0.62% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FCEF and NTSX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NTSX has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to FCEF (1.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCEF dropped -44.81% vs NTSX's -31.34%.
On 5-year performance, NTSX leads with 8.15% vs 6.04% for FCEF. On fees, NTSX is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, FCEF has been the lower-risk option at 1.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, NTSX has performed better with a 8.15% return vs 6.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NTSX is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 2.91% for FCEF.
FCEF has the higher dividend yield at 6.87%, compared with 1.10% for NTSX.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 2.91% for FCEF and 0.20% for NTSX.
FCEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.24), 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.
Find the right allocation for FCEF and NTSX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer