FTBD vs. UCON

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FTBD (Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF) and UCON (First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF) are both Nontraditional Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FTBD returned 5.19%/yr vs 5.71%/yr for UCON. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTBD charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for UCON.

Performance

FTBD vs. UCON - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF (FTBD) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTBD achieves a 1.15% return, which is significantly higher than UCON's 0.74% return.

FTBD

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 6M: 1.17%
• 1Y: 5.91%
• 3Y*: 5.19%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UCON

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 0.74%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 5.33%
• 3Y*: 5.71%
• 5Y*: 2.79%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTBD vs. UCON - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FTBD Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF	1.15%	8.35%	1.77%	3.73%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	0.74%	7.00%	4.69%	5.23%

Correlation

The correlation between FTBD and UCON is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2023	0.72

The correlation between FTBD and UCON shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (all time) to 0.86 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTBD vs. UCON - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTBD	UCON
Energy	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

FTBD vs. UCON — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTBD

FTBD Risk / Return Rank: 40
FTBD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FTBD Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
FTBD Omega Ratio Rank: 38
FTBD Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
FTBD Martin Ratio Rank: 43

UCON

UCON Risk / Return Rank: 52
UCON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
UCON Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
UCON Omega Ratio Rank: 56
UCON Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
UCON Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

FTBD vs. UCON - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF (FTBD) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). 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.

	FTBD	UCON	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	1.80	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.57	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.34	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.99	2.18	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.83	8.47	-1.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTBD vs. UCON - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTBD Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is comparable to the UCON Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTBD and UCON, 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

	FTBD	UCON	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	1.80	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.72	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.64	+0.13

Drawdowns

FTBD vs. UCON - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTBD drawdown since its inception was -6.98%, smaller than the maximum UCON drawdown of -15.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTBD and UCON.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTBD	UCON	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.98%	-15.31%	+8.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.98%	-2.45%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.56%	-2.85%	-3.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-0.45%	-0.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.57%	-1.48%	-0.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	0.63%	+0.24%

Volatility

FTBD vs. UCON - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF (FTBD) has a higher volatility of 1.46% compared to First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) at 1.14%. This indicates that FTBD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UCON based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTBD	UCON	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.46%	1.14%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.17%	2.33%	+0.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.32%	2.98%	+1.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.86%	3.89%	+1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.86%	5.89%	-0.03%

FTBD vs. UCON - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTBD has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than UCON's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTBD vs. UCON - Dividend Comparison

FTBD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.03%, more than UCON's 4.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FTBD Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF	5.03%	5.04%	4.76%	4.69%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	4.66%	4.63%	4.95%	4.75%	3.12%	2.20%	3.14%	3.25%	1.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTBD and UCON in my portfolio?

FTBD and UCON have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTBD or UCON?

FTBD has higher volatility (1.46%) compared to UCON (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTBD dropped -6.98% vs UCON's -15.31%.

Which ETF is better, FTBD or UCON?

On 3-year performance, UCON leads with 5.71% vs 5.19% for FTBD. On fees, FTBD is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, UCON has been the lower-risk option at 1.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTBD or UCON?

Over the 3-year period, UCON has performed better with a 5.71% return vs 5.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTBD or UCON?

FTBD is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for UCON.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTBD or UCON?

FTBD has the higher dividend yield at 5.03%, compared with 4.66% for UCON.

What is the main difference between FTBD and UCON?

They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for FTBD and 0.86% for UCON.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UCON currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.39), 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.