FLBL vs. SEIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLBL (Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF) and SEIX (Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLBL is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while SEIX is a Bank Loan fund tracking the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index. FLBL is actively managed, while SEIX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLBL returned 5.21%/yr vs 5.75%/yr for SEIX. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLBL charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for SEIX.

Performance

FLBL vs. SEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF (FLBL) and Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLBL achieves a 0.91% return, which is significantly lower than SEIX's 2.09% return.

FLBL

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 0.91%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 2.39%
• 3Y*: 7.36%
• 5Y*: 5.21%
• 10Y*: —

SEIX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 2.09%
• 6M: 2.81%
• 1Y: 6.07%
• 3Y*: 8.17%
• 5Y*: 5.75%
• 10Y*: —

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

FLBL vs. SEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FLBL Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF	0.91%	3.59%	8.26%	14.83%	-2.69%	4.35%	2.17%	2.89%
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	2.09%	5.10%	8.42%	12.51%	-1.77%	5.49%	3.17%	3.46%

Correlation

The correlation between FLBL and SEIX is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2019	0.29

The correlation between FLBL and SEIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (all time) to 0.43 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FLBL vs. SEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLBL

FLBL Risk / Return Rank: 23
FLBL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
FLBL Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
FLBL Omega Ratio Rank: 26
FLBL Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
FLBL Martin Ratio Rank: 21

SEIX

SEIX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

FLBL vs. SEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF (FLBL) and Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX). 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.

	FLBL	SEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	3.79	-2.87
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	6.16	-4.85
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.86	-0.68
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.75	5.39	-4.64
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.54	21.57	-19.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLBL vs. SEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLBL Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is lower than the SEIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLBL and SEIX, 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

	FLBL	SEIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92	3.79	-2.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.36	1.97	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	1.24	-0.44

Drawdowns

FLBL vs. SEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLBL drawdown since its inception was -19.52%, which is greater than SEIX's maximum drawdown of -17.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLBL and SEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLBL	SEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.52%	-17.51%	-2.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.18%	-1.13%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.91%	-3.01%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.80%	-6.69%	-0.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.06%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.00%	-0.87%	-0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.28%	+0.66%

Volatility

FLBL vs. SEIX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF (FLBL) has a higher volatility of 0.65% compared to Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) at 0.35%. This indicates that FLBL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLBL	SEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.65%	0.35%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.23%	1.28%	+0.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60%	1.61%	+0.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.86%	2.93%	+0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.72%	4.34%	+1.38%

FLBL vs. SEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLBL has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than SEIX's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLBL vs. SEIX - Dividend Comparison

FLBL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.58%, more than SEIX's 7.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FLBL Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF	7.58%	7.24%	8.05%	8.37%	5.53%	3.57%	3.22%	3.97%	2.21%
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	7.25%	7.52%	8.09%	8.74%	5.76%	4.16%	3.75%	3.82%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLBL and SEIX in my portfolio?

FLBL and SEIX have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLBL or SEIX?

FLBL has higher volatility (0.65%) compared to SEIX (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLBL dropped -19.52% vs SEIX's -17.51%.

Which ETF is better, FLBL or SEIX?

On 5-year performance, SEIX leads with 5.75% vs 5.21% for FLBL. On fees, FLBL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, SEIX has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLBL or SEIX?

Over the 5-year period, SEIX has performed better with a 5.75% return vs 5.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLBL or SEIX?

FLBL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for SEIX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLBL or SEIX?

FLBL has the higher dividend yield at 7.58%, compared with 7.25% for SEIX.

What is the main difference between FLBL and SEIX?

FLBL is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while SEIX is Bank Loan. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Virtus. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FLBL and 0.57% for SEIX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.79 vs 0.92), 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.