FSIG vs. SDCP

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FSIG (First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF) and SDCP (Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FSIG returned 2.95% vs 3.43% for SDCP. Their 0.47 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FSIG charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SDCP.

Performance

FSIG vs. SDCP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FSIG) and Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF (SDCP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSIG achieves a 0.51% return, which is significantly lower than SDCP's 1.45% return.

FSIG

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.15%
• 6M: 0.40%
• YTD: 0.51%
• 1Y: 2.95%
• 3Y*: 5.04%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.70%

SDCP

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 1.06%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 1Y: 3.43%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.18%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FSIG First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF	$5.20M	$8.29M	$7.48M
SDCP Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF	$6.14K	$3.03K	$10.09K

FSIG vs. SDCP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FSIG First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF	0.51%	6.66%	4.22%	3.07%
SDCP Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF	1.45%	5.37%	5.24%	1.94%

Correlation

The correlation between FSIG and SDCP is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2023	0.47

Return for Risk

FSIG vs. SDCP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FSIG

FSIG Risk / Return Rank: 54
FSIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
FSIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FSIG Omega Ratio Rank: 55
FSIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
FSIG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

SDCP

SDCP Risk / Return Rank: 93
SDCP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SDCP Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SDCP Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SDCP Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SDCP Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FSIG vs. SDCP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FSIG) and Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF (SDCP). 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.

	FSIG	SDCP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	2.64	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	4.11	-2.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.60	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	4.18	-2.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.64	15.60	-7.96

FSIG vs. SDCP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSIG Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is lower than the SDCP Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSIG and SDCP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FSIG vs. SDCP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSIG drawdown since its inception was -6.93%, which is greater than SDCP's maximum drawdown of -1.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSIG and SDCP.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSIG	SDCP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.93%	-1.00%	-5.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.55%	-0.82%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.55%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.15%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.64%	-0.17%	-1.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.39%	0.22%	+0.17%

Volatility

FSIG vs. SDCP - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FSIG) has a higher volatility of 0.63% compared to Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF (SDCP) at 0.29%. This indicates that FSIG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDCP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSIG	SDCP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.63%	0.29%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.94%	0.76%	+1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23%	1.31%	+0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.94%	1.99%	+0.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.94%	1.99%	+0.95%

FSIG vs. SDCP - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSIG has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than SDCP's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSIG vs. SDCP - Dividend Comparison

FSIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.84%, less than SDCP's 5.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FSIG First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF	4.84%	4.73%	4.61%	4.42%	2.48%	0.12%
SDCP Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF	5.16%	5.16%	5.25%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSIG and SDCP in my portfolio?

FSIG and SDCP have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSIG or SDCP?

FSIG has higher volatility (0.63%) compared to SDCP (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSIG dropped -6.93% vs SDCP's -1.00%.

Which ETF is better, FSIG or SDCP?

On 1-year performance, SDCP leads with 3.43% vs 2.95% for FSIG. On fees, SDCP is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SDCP has been the lower-risk option at 0.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FSIG or SDCP?

Over the 1-year period, SDCP has performed better with a 3.43% return vs 2.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSIG or SDCP?

SDCP is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for FSIG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FSIG or SDCP?

SDCP has the higher dividend yield at 5.16%, compared with 4.84% for FSIG.

What is the main difference between FSIG and SDCP?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Virtus. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for FSIG and 0.35% for SDCP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDCP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.33), 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.