FTHI vs. XYLD
FTHI (First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF) and XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. FTHI is actively managed, while XYLD is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTHI returned 8.29%/yr vs 8.34%/yr for XYLD. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FTHI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for XYLD.
Performance
FTHI vs. XYLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTHI achieves a 5.42% return, which is significantly lower than XYLD's 8.05% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FTHI having a 8.29% annualized return and XYLD not far ahead at 8.34%.
FTHI
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.46%
- 6M
- 4.06%
- YTD
- 5.42%
- 1Y
- 13.20%
- 3Y*
- 13.23%
- 5Y*
- 11.02%
- 10Y*
- 8.29%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.65%
XYLD
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 1.82%
- 6M
- 6.81%
- YTD
- 8.05%
- 1Y
- 18.90%
- 3Y*
- 11.51%
- 5Y*
- 7.90%
- 10Y*
- 8.34%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.37%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $23.68M | $20.77M | $17.60M | |
| $36.93M | $37.58M | $32.35M |
FTHI vs. XYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF | 5.42% | 11.03% | 19.02% | 20.72% | -4.37% | 13.95% | -7.13% | 18.16% | -9.72% | 14.41% |
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF | 8.05% | 8.02% | 19.49% | 11.10% | -12.05% | 19.59% | -0.56% | 21.41% | -6.09% | 16.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTHI and XYLD is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.85 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.83 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.81 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.70 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014 | 0.64 |
Over the past year, FTHI and XYLD have become more correlated (0.85) than their long-term average of 0.64, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
FTHI vs. XYLD — Risk / Return Rank
FTHI
XYLD
FTHI vs. XYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD). 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.
| FTHI | XYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.70 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.56 | -0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.24 | 3.40 | -1.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.35 | 17.69 | -8.34 |
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Drawdowns
FTHI vs. XYLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTHI drawdown since its inception was -32.65%, roughly equal to the maximum XYLD drawdown of -33.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTHI and XYLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTHI | XYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.65% | -33.46% | +0.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.47% | -5.29% | -0.18% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.92% | -15.53% | -0.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.70% | -18.66% | +1.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.65% | -33.46% | +0.81% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.84% | 0.00% | -0.84% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.64% | -3.68% | +0.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.31% | 1.02% | +0.29% |
Volatility
FTHI vs. XYLD - Volatility Comparison
First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) has a higher volatility of 2.97% compared to Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) at 1.92%. This indicates that FTHI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTHI | XYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.97% | 1.92% | +1.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.63% | 5.97% | +1.66% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.50% | 7.13% | +2.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.38% | 11.27% | +2.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.17% | 14.15% | +0.02% |
FTHI vs. XYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTHI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than XYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTHI vs. XYLD - Dividend Comparison
FTHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.88%, less than XYLD's 10.53% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF | 8.88% | 8.70% | 8.61% | 8.50% | 9.06% | 4.37% | 4.76% | 4.21% | 4.76% | 4.00% | 4.41% | 4.98% |
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF | 10.53% | 10.51% | 11.54% | 10.51% | 13.43% | 9.07% | 7.93% | 5.76% | 7.12% | 5.18% | 3.23% | 4.65% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTHI and XYLD have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTHI has higher volatility (2.97%) compared to XYLD (1.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTHI dropped -32.65% vs XYLD's -33.46%.
On 10-year performance, XYLD leads with 8.34% vs 8.29% for FTHI. On fees, XYLD is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, XYLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XYLD has performed better with a 8.34% return vs 8.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XYLD is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FTHI.
XYLD has the higher dividend yield at 10.53%, compared with 8.88% for FTHI.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FTHI and 0.60% for XYLD.
XYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.29), 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.
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