FTKI vs. PCLO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FTKI (First Trust Small Cap BuyWrite Income ETF) and PCLO (Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTKI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by First Trust, while PCLO is a CLO fund actively managed by Virtus. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FTKI returned 19.26% vs 5.15% for PCLO. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTKI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for PCLO.

Performance

FTKI vs. PCLO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Small Cap BuyWrite Income ETF (FTKI) and Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF (PCLO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTKI achieves a 11.17% return, which is significantly higher than PCLO's 2.09% return.

FTKI

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 2.65%
• YTD: 11.17%
• 6M: 9.83%
• 1Y: 19.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PCLO

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 2.09%
• 6M: 2.23%
• 1Y: 5.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTKI vs. PCLO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTKI First Trust Small Cap BuyWrite Income ETF	11.17%	4.33%
PCLO Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF	2.09%	4.51%

Correlation

The correlation between FTKI and PCLO is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2025	0.10

The correlation between FTKI and PCLO shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.10 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTKI vs. PCLO — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTKI

FTKI Risk / Return Rank: 69
FTKI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
FTKI Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FTKI Omega Ratio Rank: 68
FTKI Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
FTKI Martin Ratio Rank: 69

PCLO

PCLO Risk / Return Rank: 99
PCLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
PCLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PCLO Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PCLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PCLO Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

FTKI vs. PCLO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Small Cap BuyWrite Income ETF (FTKI) and Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF (PCLO). 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.

	FTKI	PCLO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	5.72	-3.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	9.91	-7.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	2.65	-1.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	19.72	-16.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.64	114.96	-103.32

FTKI vs. PCLO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTKI Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is lower than the PCLO Sharpe Ratio of 5.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTKI and PCLO, 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

FTKI vs. PCLO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTKI drawdown since its inception was -15.17%, which is greater than PCLO's maximum drawdown of -0.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTKI and PCLO.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTKI	PCLO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.17%	-0.76%	-14.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.56%	-0.26%	-5.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-0.08%	-0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-0.03%	-2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.66%	0.04%	+1.62%

Volatility

FTKI vs. PCLO - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Small Cap BuyWrite Income ETF (FTKI) has a higher volatility of 2.93% compared to Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF (PCLO) at 0.23%. This indicates that FTKI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PCLO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTKI	PCLO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	0.23%	+2.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.70%	0.70%	+7.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.91%	0.91%	+9.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.14%	1.14%	+14.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.14%	1.14%	+14.00%

FTKI vs. PCLO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTKI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PCLO's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTKI vs. PCLO - Dividend Comparison

FTKI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.33%, more than PCLO's 5.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FTKI First Trust Small Cap BuyWrite Income ETF	11.33%	8.99%	0.00%
PCLO Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF	5.25%	5.53%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTKI and PCLO in my portfolio?

FTKI and PCLO have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTKI or PCLO?

FTKI has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to PCLO (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTKI dropped -15.17% vs PCLO's -0.76%.

Which ETF is better, FTKI or PCLO?

On 1-year performance, FTKI leads with 19.26% vs 5.15% for PCLO. On fees, PCLO is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, PCLO has been the lower-risk option at 0.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTKI or PCLO?

Over the 1-year period, FTKI has performed better with a 19.26% return vs 5.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTKI or PCLO?

PCLO is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FTKI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTKI or PCLO?

FTKI has the higher dividend yield at 11.33%, compared with 5.25% for PCLO.

What is the main difference between FTKI and PCLO?

FTKI is categorized as Derivative Income, while PCLO is CLO. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Virtus. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FTKI and 0.29% for PCLO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.72 vs 1.95), 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.