FPEI vs. CWB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPEI (First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF) and CWB (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. FPEI is actively managed, while CWB is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FPEI returned 4.20%/yr vs 7.54%/yr for CWB. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FPEI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for CWB.

Performance

FPEI vs. CWB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPEI) and SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF (CWB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPEI achieves a 1.56% return, which is significantly lower than CWB's 23.48% return.

FPEI

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 8.60%
• 3Y*: 10.69%
• 5Y*: 4.20%
• 10Y*: —

CWB

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: 7.03%
• YTD: 23.48%
• 6M: 22.61%
• 1Y: 38.47%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 7.54%
• 10Y*: 12.92%

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

FPEI vs. CWB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FPEI First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF	1.56%	9.82%	10.94%	6.29%	-8.19%	4.63%	7.08%	15.86%	-4.29%	2.23%
CWB SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF	23.48%	16.61%	10.06%	14.49%	-20.81%	2.18%	53.39%	22.39%	-2.00%	2.52%

Correlation

The correlation between FPEI and CWB is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 24, 2017	0.42

Return for Risk

FPEI vs. CWB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPEI

FPEI Risk / Return Rank: 70
FPEI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FPEI Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
FPEI Omega Ratio Rank: 87
FPEI Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
FPEI Martin Ratio Rank: 65

CWB

CWB Risk / Return Rank: 83
CWB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
CWB Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
CWB Omega Ratio Rank: 80
CWB Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
CWB Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

FPEI vs. CWB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPEI) and SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF (CWB). 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.

	FPEI	CWB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.74	-0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	3.63	+0.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.49	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	5.14	-2.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.84	18.58	-6.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPEI vs. CWB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPEI Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the CWB Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPEI and CWB, 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

	FPEI	CWB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.74	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.59	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.90	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.92	-0.36

Drawdowns

FPEI vs. CWB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPEI drawdown since its inception was -27.51%, smaller than the maximum CWB drawdown of -32.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPEI and CWB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPEI	CWB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.51%	-32.06%	+4.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.63%	-7.52%	+3.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.26%	-11.92%	+7.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.46%	-28.41%	+11.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-1.16%	+1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.06%	-6.17%	+3.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	2.08%	-1.35%

Volatility

FPEI vs. CWB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPEI) is 0.95%, while SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF (CWB) has a volatility of 5.33%. This indicates that FPEI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CWB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPEI	CWB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.95%	5.33%	-4.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.06%	11.43%	-8.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.69%	14.10%	-10.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.97%	12.95%	-6.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.86%	14.47%	-5.61%

FPEI vs. CWB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPEI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than CWB's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPEI vs. CWB - Dividend Comparison

FPEI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.72%, more than CWB's 1.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CWB SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF	1.35%	1.69%	1.85%	1.97%	2.21%	1.97%	2.34%	3.03%	6.17%	4.25%	4.60%	7.52%
FPEI First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF	5.72%	5.62%	5.55%	5.76%	5.20%	4.46%	4.90%	5.02%	5.81%	1.50%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPEI and CWB in my portfolio?

FPEI and CWB have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPEI or CWB?

CWB has higher volatility (5.33%) compared to FPEI (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPEI dropped -27.51% vs CWB's -32.06%.

Which ETF is better, FPEI or CWB?

On 5-year performance, CWB leads with 7.54% vs 4.20% for FPEI. On fees, CWB is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FPEI has been the lower-risk option at 0.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPEI or CWB?

Over the 5-year period, CWB has performed better with a 7.54% return vs 4.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPEI or CWB?

CWB is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FPEI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FPEI or CWB?

FPEI has the higher dividend yield at 5.72%, compared with 1.35% for CWB.

What is the main difference between FPEI and CWB?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FPEI and 0.40% for CWB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CWB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 2.34), 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.