FTF vs. ETSIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTF (Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust) and ETSIX (Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I) are both Multisector Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTF returned 3.90%/yr vs 4.75%/yr for ETSIX. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTF charges 3.92%/yr vs 1.46%/yr for ETSIX.

Performance

FTF vs. ETSIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust (FTF) and Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ETSIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTF achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly lower than ETSIX's 2.19% return. Over the past 10 years, FTF has underperformed ETSIX with an annualized return of 3.90%, while ETSIX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.75% annualized return.

FTF

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 6M: 1.81%
• 1Y: 3.03%
• 3Y*: 10.57%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 3.90%

ETSIX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 2.19%
• 6M: 2.68%
• 1Y: 10.07%
• 3Y*: 8.34%
• 5Y*: 4.83%
• 10Y*: 4.75%

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

FTF vs. ETSIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTF Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust	0.29%	4.16%	19.50%	12.22%	-23.49%	6.72%	9.01%	18.45%	-15.28%	9.44%
ETSIX Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I	2.19%	10.88%	6.38%	8.24%	-2.55%	1.33%	7.52%	6.58%	-2.68%	4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between FTF and ETSIX is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2003	0.17

The correlation between FTF and ETSIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (all time) to 0.31 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTF vs. ETSIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTF

FTF Risk / Return Rank: 5
FTF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
FTF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
FTF Omega Ratio Rank: 5
FTF Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
FTF Martin Ratio Rank: 5

ETSIX

ETSIX Risk / Return Rank: 90
ETSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
ETSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ETSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ETSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ETSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

FTF vs. ETSIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust (FTF) and Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ETSIX). 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.

	FTF	ETSIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	3.59	-3.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.63	5.36	-4.73
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.81	-0.73
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.49	4.16	-3.67
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.36	14.61	-13.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTF vs. ETSIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTF Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the ETSIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTF and ETSIX, 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

	FTF	ETSIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	3.59	-3.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	1.51	-1.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	1.51	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	1.34	-1.04

Drawdowns

FTF vs. ETSIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTF drawdown since its inception was -51.15%, which is greater than ETSIX's maximum drawdown of -12.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTF and ETSIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTF	ETSIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.15%	-12.63%	-38.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.54%	-2.43%	-4.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.58%	-2.52%	-9.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.55%	-6.34%	-22.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.64%	-12.28%	-24.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-0.61%	-1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.04%	-1.43%	-6.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	0.69%	+1.66%

Volatility

FTF vs. ETSIX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust (FTF) has a higher volatility of 2.25% compared to Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ETSIX) at 1.06%. This indicates that FTF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ETSIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTF	ETSIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	1.06%	+1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.39%	2.22%	+3.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.19%	2.82%	+4.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.04%	3.21%	+7.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.88%	3.16%	+10.72%

FTF vs. ETSIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTF has a 3.92% expense ratio, which is higher than ETSIX's 1.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTF vs. ETSIX - Dividend Comparison

FTF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.59%, more than ETSIX's 7.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ETSIX Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I	7.10%	5.65%	6.97%	6.93%	5.56%	4.31%	4.19%	4.29%	3.98%	3.70%	3.94%	4.32%
FTF Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust	12.59%	12.00%	11.13%	11.41%	12.62%	10.26%	9.50%	10.73%	12.37%	10.86%	6.56%	6.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTF and ETSIX in my portfolio?

FTF and ETSIX have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTF or ETSIX?

FTF has higher volatility (2.25%) compared to ETSIX (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTF dropped -51.15% vs ETSIX's -12.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ETSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.59 vs 0.42), 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.